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PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Transport Connectivity - 11 December 2024 (Commons/Commons Chamber)

Debate Detail

Contributions from Mr Richard Holden, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Con
Mr Richard Holden
Basildon and Billericay
8. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve transport connectivity between Wales and the rest of the UK.
  11:53:56
Dame Nia Griffith
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales
The Government are absolutely committed to working collaboratively with the Welsh Government to improve transport connectivity within Wales and with the rest of the UK. We are already making progress. Network Rail and Transport for Wales announced a joint programme, which, as the Secretary of State said, will see 50% more timetabled services on the north Wales main line. I was delighted to see the tri-mode trains brought into service on the south Wales metro last month.
  11:53:56
Mr Holden
The lower Thames crossing is a vital link between our channel ports and Holyhead port. I know Labour is against new road building in Wales, but a north Wales corridor connecting our ports would be a vital piece of transport infrastructure for our whole country. Will the Minister lobby the Welsh Government on that, for Wales and for our entire United Kingdom?
  11:53:56
Dame Nia Griffith
I remind the right hon. Member that Holyhead was recently given freeport tax status, and I assure him that the Welsh Government have not ruled out a third Northern Ireland crossing.
Lab
  11:53:56
Catherine Fookes
Monmouthshire
On our transport policy in Wales, casualties fell by a quarter on 20-mph and 30-mph roads last year. Does the Minister agree that that will be of great comfort to schools like Osbaston in my constituency, and to parents like Rhiannon in Flintshire, who praised the scheme for helping to save her son’s life after he was hit by a car?
Dame Nia Griffith
Indeed. The Welsh Government have been clear that the priority objective of the 20-mph policy was to save lives and reduce casualties. Recent collisions data provide an encouraging sign that the policy is moving in the right direction.

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