It was with deep dismay that I looked over the Trunk Road announcement made by Ieuan Wyn Jones yesterday. There's no surprise that the Minister has been dodging questions on the Heads of the Valleys road for over a year. The answers, when they finally came, were totally unacceptable.In his statement yesterday, the Minister repeated an assertion that the dualling of the A465, a communications link of huge strategic importance to Wales, would have to be put back due to rising costs. I find that difficult to accept. If it is the view of the Minister that the project is currently unaffordable because the estimated costs have escalated in recent months, what does he expect to happen to the cost of dualling the road by waiting another six, or even ten years?
This was always meant to be an ambitious programme, now the Minister is reneging on Assembly Government commitments exactly because it is costly and ambitious. I now have genuine concerns about the success of the wider Heads of the Valleys regeneration programme which always relied on the dualling of the road.
Leaving aside the very strong case for improvements on the grounds of safety, the current economic situation demands a better plan than this.
Put simply, the A465 improvements have been sidelined in favour of improvements to North-South links. That is a cultural and political decision, not a strategic economic decision.Some improvements do need to be made to the A470, but in the current economic climate we have to see through our priorities to develop the Welsh economy. The East-West links are the key economic arteries in Wales, but this has been ignored yet again, at a time when Wales can least afford it.
8 comments:
Huw,
I have to agree with you wholeheartedly.
The hard headed economic case is simply not present for North/South links, indeed many of the economic and industry networks have been firmly created around east/west transport links. I work in Chepstow, and like many businesses in the M4 corridor, we are grateful to those links and would like to see continued improvements. I am sure this is the case regarding the North Wales – Liverpool/Manchester links (excuse my lack of knowledge regarding the names of those roads).
Cultural reasoning and nation building are wooly justifications of huge capital investments at the best of times, let alone when we are in an economic crisis. While not advocating every policy decision be made purely on such grounds, the economic case and the gross value added benefit is a huge central tenet to such projects.
I am sure people will paint this as anti-North Wales, Labour valley commandos (add a quick unionist quip for effect) piping up or even, laughably, anti-Welsh; but it is a ridiculous situation when our Government is making such a huge error and prioritising such investments on the grounds of wooly concepts.
We don’t need ‘bringing together’ as a nation, we need to be understanding and celebrate the great variation in cultural and geographical make up of Wales, not attempt to see that difference as negative. Trying to artificially ‘connect’ the country through capital investments such as road building borders on balmy.
Marcus
barmy!! no balmy!!
I agree with yourself, Huw, and Marcus- the north-south links are purely an exercise in nation-building. This is the last thing we need at this time; the sooner we get Ieuan Whinge out the better it'll be for all of Wales' deprived areas.
I agree with all that have responded and I am grateful that Lewis has stuck his head above the parapet on this one.
We in the valleys have been waiting long enough for these vital improvements and now they've been kicked so far into the long grass it seems there is no end in sight.
Well done Huw. This is a massive local issue and I cannot believe that WAG are not going ahead with it.
Keep up the good work!
Huw,
I'm sorry but your argument simply does not hold water. If I am correct, your main concern is about the dualling from Dowlais to Hirwaun. In terms of Merthyr, this will have very little effect on the economy as the two most important road links are the A465 east of Merthyr and the A470-both of which have been or are being dualled for most if not all of their lengths. Furthermore, you make no mention of the funding for better rail links from Cardiff to Merthyr.
You were well aware that the One Wales agreement committed to better north south links and as someone who has to use the A470, that road is an absolute disgrace and far more dangerous than the A465 will ever be.
Mr lewis,
I travel to north Wales twice a month with my work. Actually the North to South route is adequate because of the less volume of traffic. The priority of the Regional government must be the east to west link the A454.
I am sure that the people of Merthyr and Rhymney appreciate your efforts in fighting our corner.
Elwyn Jones
Sorry Mr Lewis just noticed my error on my previous comment,of course I meant "The Heads of the valleys road" A465.
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