MINISTER MUST CLARIFY WHETHER M4 RELIEF ROAD WILL BE TOLLED
a media release issued on Monday 21 January 2008 by William Graham AM
William Graham (Conservative AM for South Wales East) responding to Ieuan Wyn Jones (Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport) announcement that road pricing would be considered for future big infrastructure projects where there were congestion issues:
Mr Jones announced that there is ‘no prospect whatsoever of introducing charges on the existing network’, however, ‘it would be considered on future big infrastructure projects where there were congestion issues’.
William Graham condemned the Minister making this announcement on the media, before presenting this policy issue to Plenary: “This is the second time this week that an Assembly Government Minister has made a policy announcement prior to informing Assembly Members”.
“The M4 Relief Road meets the Assembly criteria for road pricing, as it is a big infrastructure project with congestion issues”.
“Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has urged Assembly Government to consider introducing motorway tolls, specifying the planned M4 relief road as a prime candidate”.
“The M4 Relief Road urgently needed, not only to improve the transport network, especially with Ryder Cup, but also to attract further economic investment into South Wales”.
“I hope the Minister will make a Plenary statement this week, allowing AMs the opportunity to question this policy and to confirm progress on the M4 Relief Road project”.
William Graham JP, AM
CHIEF WHIP, PARTY CHAIRMAN AND EUROPEAN SPOKESMAN
Email – William.Graham@Wales.gov.uk