§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to integrate transport in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [6099]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI welcome my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's announcement on 5 June honouring our election manifesto commitment to218W developing an integrated transport policy. This will, of course, embrace Wales and Welsh Office Ministers and officials will participate fully in drawing-up proposals for implementing the new policy, taking into account the views of a wide range of interested organisations.
We will, in any case, be looking closely at all transport issues in Wales during the course of the next few months, including priorities for the roads programme as part of the strategic review promised in the Welsh election manifesto. I intend to set the strategic review of the roads programme in the broader context of the development of a balanced, integrated transport policy for the Principality. The review will, therefore, consider not only the relative priority of particular routes and schemes within the programme, and the scope for altering those priorities, but wider issues including the need to manage the network more effectively and the scope to promote alternative transport modes where appropriate.
The review will consider afresh all schemes currently in the Welsh roads programme with the exception of the A55 dualling across Anglesey. In that case, I have decided that the strategic importance of the improvement is so great that it must proceed without delay subject, of course, to the successful completion of the legal and statutory procedures.
I will be initiating a process of wide public consultation on the review, and will publish a consultation document shortly. This consultation document will set out the present position, summarise the issues for consideration and suggest possible options for change, and will invite views from the widest possible range of organisations. I hope to announce the conclusions of the review next spring.