



(Title Image: Welsh Government via BBC Wales)

The Issue

With the projected costs of the proposed M4 Newport bypass rapidly approaching £1.5billion – and perhaps not stopping there – the issue has once again loomed large over the Welsh Government and Welsh politics with the project’s timescales slipping and a public inquiry yet to conclude.

The likelihood is the road will be given the go-ahead later this year, but Plaid Cymru used their time yesterday afternoon to argue that AMs should give the final approval in a vote.

The Motion

The Senedd:

Believes the Welsh Government shouldn’t commit to funding the proposed M4 Newport bypass without a vote in the Assembly after the conclusion of the current public inquiry.

Key Points

Adam Price AM (Plaid, Carms. E & Dinefwr)

For (the motion): It’s standard practice for major projects.

There’s a range of opinion on the issue, but Plaid want to ensure the views of elected members are heard and they have the final say.

Three years ago the First Minister said the cost would be under £1billion, now it’s estimated to cost around £1.4billion once VAT is included; Friends of the Earth estimate £1.8billion.

You could complete the South Wales Metro, Swansea Bay Metro and possibly re-open the Carmarthen-Aberystwyth railway with the same money and possibly have change left over.

The government ignore opposition motions so it’s right that if AMs are to have their say it should be in a binding vote. It’s standard practice for major infrastructure projects and can’t be tacked on to a supplementary budget where AMs could be forced to vote against funding a number of things they support.

Andrew RT Davies AM (Con, South Wales Central)

For: AMs need their say on such a massive project.

The Tories agree that the institution should have a vote on the largest infrastructure project it’s ever considered.

If the government are confident in their position, they should be able to carry the house with them.

There needs to be an explanation as to why costs have risen so dramatically; how far will costs have to rise before the Welsh Government considers the project unviable?

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM (Plaid, Ynys Môn)

For: What about the rest of Wales?

Transport solutions need to be future-proofed (i.e. take into account driverless vehicles).

How can the Senedd or Welsh Government justify spending £1.5billion+ without proving that it’s part of a wider strategy that would spread infrastructure spending around Wales?

The Welsh Government have already undermined the public inquiry by investing £135million at Newport Docks so Associated British Ports would drop their opposition to the bypass.

Jenny Rathbone AM (Lab, Cardiff Central)

For (in principle): We need modal shift (and a debate after the inquiry)

There’s a danger the project will “gobble up” the Welsh Government’s borrowing limit and encourage more road traffic.

Will vote against the motion, but hopes there’s a commitment to a “substantive debate” after the public inquiry has finished and an opportunity to look at alternatives.

David Rowlands AM (UKIP, South Wales East)

For: Keep the government in check.

Concerned that if AMs aren’t allowed to have their say the Welsh Government will plough ahead with the “Black Route” regardless of the inquiry’s findings.

Simon Thomas AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales)

For: Remember the Future Generations Act.

All AMs need to have a say in any major investment that would potentially bind the hands of a future government in terms of the environment, infrastructure and anti-poverty measures.

Mick Antoniw AM (Lab, Pontypridd)

For (in principle): There needs to be a debate, but not now.

There was anger after the Welsh Government opted for the “Black Route” prior to a committee report being published.

The bypass is becoming an “economic juggernaut that’s out of control” and he doesn’t want it to come at the expense of the Metro.

Wanted assurances there will be a debate in the future.

Lee Waters AM (Lab, Llanelli)

For (in principle): I support the force of the motion, but won’t vote with the opposition.

When Labour fought the 2016 elections their manifesto mentioned a £1billion project; it’s easily going to be closer to £2billion.

He wants to “kill this road”, but he didn’t want to take part in opposition game-playing so wouldn’t back the motion.

Decisions on finance – as mentioned in the motion – are decided during the budget and Plaid Cymru have had an opportunity to kill the project but didn’t.

Any future vote should be on the principle of a bypass, as he wouldn’t vote against a Labour budget.

Welsh Government Response

Economy & Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates (Lab, Clwyd South)

Everyone in the chamber will accept that something needs to be done in Newport despite disagreements on the “what”.

Every AM and person affected by the project has had an opportunity to have their say during the inquiry; the Welsh Government will respect this process and won’t take a decision without considering the findings.

A project can’t be considered in isolation, but any budgetary changes that require a vote will get a vote.

Vote

Update (15/02/2018): It seems the Welsh Government will hold a vote on this after all, though whether it’ll be binding and when it will be held is unclear at the moment.





