HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc896-7
3. Mr. Donald Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to issue his transport statement; and what arrangements will be made to canvas opinion in Wales before doing so. [280]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Gwilym Jones)

We intend to issue our new policy statement within the next few months. It will take account of the many representations we have received during the transport debate.

Mr. Anderson

Again on the subject of accountability and fooling the electorate, does the Minister accept that his party labours under special disadvantages in Wales because the Secretary of State—in whose name the statement will be issued—does not represent a Welsh constituency and because his party has been almost wiped out in local government in Wales? Rather than imposing a statement on the people of Wales, would it not be proper to consult widely among those who do their best to represent the people of Wales?

Mr. Jones

That was a pretty poor supplementary question from the hon. Gentleman, who may be frightened to debate the transport policy statement when we issue it. I invite him to take his chance then.

Mr. Alex Carlile

In preparing the statement, will the Minister take into account the strongly expressed opinions of more than 6,000 of my constituents that the Welsh Office should replace the "junction of death" at Sarnybryncaled on the A483 near Welshpool with a roundabout, following five fatalities and numerous serious injuries at the junction? It is time for action—will the Welsh Office act?

Mr. Jones

I thank the hon. and learned Gentleman, whose concern I well appreciate, for that question; it was most appropriate that he informed me of his intention to raise this important matter here. Reports from our agents, Powys county council, have informed us of two accidents at the junction. As a result, we are taking forward work involving changes to the layout and new signing, and we are requiring an investigation to be held into the desirability of a roundabout at that location.

Mr. Llwyd

Does the Minister realise that the minimum passenger requirement for the north Wales to Crewe service will now be three services a day as opposed to nine, as at present? What kind of transport policy is that?

Mr. Jones

It is a new, much better transport policy, because there has never been a minimum requirement before now. We have debated that matter in relation to the south Wales railway line, where private operators have provided more than the minimum number of services that they were set. The new operators will be looking for opportunities to improve and expand transport services in a way that has never been done before. British Rail has merely presided over a decline for the past 60 years.

Mr. Hanson

Will the Minister consult local authorities and the Department of Transport on the desirability of assessing the need for a rail link to Manchester airport, something for which many local authorities in north Wales and, indeed, England are now pressing?

Mr. Jones

I welcome that suggestion, and I look forward to the new rail operators—who have a much more open and positive approach to such possibilities—taking that forward. Prism, the new railway operator in south Wales, is looking at the possibility of a link to Cardiff international airport.