Latest news with #SamRowlands
South Wales Argus
14 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Senedd rejection for renewed calls for M4 relief road
Sam Rowlands described the M4 relief road as a golden opportunity, not only to ease congestion for motorists but also to boost the economy. The Conservatives' shadow finance secretary said the Welsh Government spent £135m of public money on the project before it was scrapped in June 2019. He accused then-first minister Mark Drakeford of breaking a pledge on the £1.6bn relief road and going against an inquiry's finding that the costs would outweigh the benefits two to one. Mr Rowlands told the Senedd: 'At every step of this journey, there's been indecision and money wasted. At the end of it all, it's been the Welsh people who've had to suffer as a result. And nothing has been done to ease congestion around Newport ever since.' Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru's shadow transport secretary, criticised the Tories for calling for a new road through a site of special scientific interest. Calling for a more affordable and environmentally sustainable solution, he raised the lengthy and costly completion of the Heads of the Valleys Road improvements. He told the Senedd: 'After 23 years of roadworks and around £2bn later, [the] Welsh Government will now pay more than £40m a year for 30 years to a private firm before the road will be publicly owned in 2055.' Mr Owen Griffiths, who represents South Wales East, criticised the Welsh Government for being 'too slow' to put forward a genuine alternative solution to M4 congestion. John Griffiths welcomed £445m from the UK spending review for rail in Wales, including three new railway stations planned in his Newport East constituency. Mr Griffiths called for urgency in taking forward the recommendations of the Burns commission 'after far too much delay'. Natasha Asghar said her constituents in South Wales East are regularly faced with bumper-to-bumper traffic and long delays on the route which is not fit for purpose. 'These never ending clogs are not just a nightmare for those stuck in them, they're also a major economic roadblock,' she said. 'The constant gridlock and unreliable nature of the M4 is undoubtedly making Wales a less attractive place to do business.' Senedd members voted 32-12 against the Tory motion following the debate on June 18.
Wales Online
a day ago
- Business
- Wales Online
'The Welsh people have had to suffer' over lack of action on M4
'The Welsh people have had to suffer' over lack of action on M4 The Brynglas tunnels were called a "national 26 years of mismanagement" (Image: South Wales Echo ) People in Wales have had to suffer because of the Welsh Government's decision to scrap the M4 relief road, Senedd members said. A debate in Cardiff Bay heard arguments from a series of Conservative Senedd members criticising the decision, made six years ago this month not to proceed with a £1.5bn plan to divert the M4 south of Newport on a new six-lane route to avoid the Brynglas tunnels bottleneck. One Tory MS said the Brynglas tunnels were a "national 26 years of mismanagement". The Welsh Conservatives picked the M4 relief road as the topic of their debate in the meeting of the full Senedd, calling for the Welsh Government to put the idea back on the table. You can read the history to the debate here. Both Plaid Cymru and Labour voted against the motion. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Former deputy minister for transport Lee Waters told the Senedd "new roads lead to more traffic". Article continues below He said before the tolls on the Severn Bridge were removed in 2018 traffic was forecast to rise by 17%. However, he said National Highways figures show it is now up 34% compared to when there were tolls. "That's what happens when you increase road capacity, when you encourage and incentivise driving—32,000 vehicles a day now crossing the Severn bridge. A University of London study last year showed that, as a result, more people are now commuting from Newport to Bristol because what happens when you increase road capacity is people simply move further away from their place of work. So they drive further. "As a result, house prices within a 5km range of the bridge are now up by 13%. Double the rise in Newport. So that's what happens. People travel more. "They travel further from their place of living to their work, and more journeys are created. So, as soon as you've built the road, the traffic congestion levels are up and, lo and behold, what's the next demand? Build another road to relieve the congestion. And round and round we go. And the evidence is clear, it doesn't work." However, the Welsh Conservatives criticised the scheme being stopped. Welsh Conservative MS Sam Rowlands told colleagues: "The Welsh Government spent £135.7 million of public money on plans for the M4 relief road before scrapping it. "FOI requests from the Welsh Conservatives on the scheme found that 29 homes were purchased for over £15 million through compulsory purchase orders. "Two of these properties were bought for £575,000 and £400,000 in April 2019, just two months before the First Minister decided to ditch the scheme. "At least £44 million was spent by the Welsh Government on development costs and a public inquiry, an inquiry that in fact backed the building of the relief road, saying the economic benefit of the project would outweigh the cost by two to one. "At every step of this journey, there's been indecision and money wasted. "At the end of it all, it's been the Welsh people who've had to suffer as a result." Fellow Conservative MS Gareth Davies said: "The Brynglas tunnels have become a national symbol—a bottleneck where people sit stationary for miles in traffic. It's a perfect illustration of 26 years of mismanagement". Transport minister Ken Skates refuted the Welsh Government had "stood still" in improving things at the M4. Article continues below "Lord Burns and the South East Wales Transport Commission put forward recommendations on both the short-and-long-term solutions to relieve congestion, and the short-term measures have been fully implemented on the M4," he said. He referenced plans for the so-called Burns stations - east Cardiff, west Newport, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor and Undy - which saw a financial commitment from the UK Government in Rachel Reeves' spending review. You can see the five stations here.
Leader Live
07-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Outdoor activities safety concerns raised by North Wales MS
Sam Rowlands, a Welsh parliament member for the region, requested an update from the Welsh government regarding improvements to outdoor safety. The chairman of the cross-party group on the outdoor activity sector questioned Huw Irranca-Davies, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, about efforts to improve safety for outdoor pursuits. Mr Rowlands said: "You will know the good work that takes place through the cross-party group on the outdoor activity sector in Wales, and you'll also agree with me that we have some of the best outdoor activity organisations here in Wales that you could possibly imagine. "There have, though, been some recent tragic high-profile cases where basic safety standards in the outdoors have been ignored and caused tragic circumstances to arise." He also pointed out ongoing pressures on organisations such as mountain rescue, which aid people who find themselves in dangerous situations outdoors. Mr Rowlands expressed concern over the lack of clear direction from the Welsh government regarding responsibility for outdoor safety and associated legislation. He inquired about a point of contact for the sector to engage with as they strive to assure the public of safe outdoor enjoyment. READ MORE: NHS Wales to remove no-show patients from waiting lists, health secretary confirms In response, the minister confirmed that the Welsh government is committed to promoting safety, with a focus on prevention and risk mitigation for outdoor activities. Mr Rowlands added: "I firmly believe that everyone should be able to take part in activities safely outdoors and in particular that all young children should have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor education. "I recently met up with Scouts at Cox Wood Campsite in Rossett to see for myself how young people are able to benefit from taking part in all sorts of activities including being taught survival tips."
South Wales Argus
06-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Severn Bridge: Welsh Conservatives concern over 'bottleneck'
National Highways recently announced that from May 27, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) would only be permitted to use the bridge only if they weigh 7.5 tonnes or less. The weight restriction, expected to remain in place for 12 to 18 months, follows safety inspections revealing deterioration in the bridge's main cables. HGVs exceeding the weight limit will be redirected to the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge. This decision has sparked concern among Welsh Conservatives, who fear a detrimental effect on the economy. They are worried about the economic and logistical consequences for businesses, commuters, and local communities across Wales. Sam Rowlands, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, said: "The Welsh economy is heavily reliant on the two Severn bridges, and this decision will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the Welsh economy. "Businesses, hauliers, and commuters will all bear the brunt of increased congestion, particularly on the Prince of Wales Bridge, which is already struggling due to ongoing roadworks." Mr Rowlands also criticised the Welsh Labour Government for scrapping the M4 relief road, suggesting that this decision has left motorists and businesses without "a crucial solution to manage growing traffic demands." The weight restrictions and subsequent redirection of traffic are expected to cause significant traffic issues, as drivers are forced to find alternative routes or face queues on the M4. These issues are predicted to cause knock-on effects for Newport's Brynglas pinch point and older roads through villages like Magor and Undy. The restrictions are deemed a major setback for all road users and will raise traffic concerns from Chepstow through to Newport and beyond. Hauliers are expected to use both the Prince of Wales Bridge and long detours around Gloucester, when the M4 at Newport becomes a major problem. However, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, has reassured the public that efforts are being made to reduce the impact of the restrictions. He said: "We will be working closely with National Highways and are determined to minimise travel disruption to the public and businesses whilst the weight limit is in place." The Welsh Conservatives' comments highlight the ongoing struggle to balance infrastructure safety with the need for efficient traffic flow and economic stability. The impact of these restrictions will likely be felt keenly by businesses and commuters in the region over the coming months.
Pembrokeshire Herald
04-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Tories accuse Welsh Labour of silence over rail funding ‘shortchange'
Conservatives demand fair share from £6.6bn Oxford-Cambridge line as HS2 dispute continues THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have accused the Labour-run Welsh Government of failing to stand up for Wales over rail infrastructure funding, criticising what they call a 'deafening silence' on the long-running HS2 consequentials dispute and a lack of action over a newly announced £6.6 billion rail project in England. The Oxford-Cambridge rail corridor project, confirmed by Westminster as part of wider infrastructure investment plans, will not deliver any direct funding for Wales, reigniting debate over how major transport schemes in England are classified for funding purposes. Although transport is devolved, UK Government does not provide Barnett formula consequential funding to Wales for rail projects it deems to benefit England and Wales jointly—despite HS2 not passing through Welsh territory. Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said the current system is 'clearly unfair' and accused Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay of failing to push back. 'We've not heard a peep from the Welsh Labour Government on HS2 consequentials since the election,' he said. 'Now, with this rail project highlighting further unfairness in funding, it is clear that the Welsh Labour Government has no sway with their counterparts in Westminster.' Mr Rowlands added: 'We were promised two governments working in partnership to deliver what is best for Wales. Instead, we've had broken promise after broken promise, leaving Wales shortchanged on critical infrastructure investment.' The Conservatives reiterated their call for Wales to receive its fair share of HS2-linked funding, and argued that any new funding arising from major projects in England should be distributed transparently and fairly. 'To ensure transparency and effective use of resources, this funding must be allocated directly to Network Rail to deliver for the needs of people in Wales,' Mr Rowlands said. The Welsh Government has previously argued that HS2 should be classed as an 'England-only' project for the purposes of funding allocation, potentially unlocking billions in additional investment for Wales. However, no change in classification has been agreed. The Herald has approached the Welsh Government for comment.
