Finance Committee
FIN(3)-FRI-006
Inquiry into Funding Road Infrastructure - Written evidence from South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta)
Sewta has just completed its Regional Transport Plan which highlights its visions and actions for the next 20 years. With reference to the specific areas of transportation finance highlighted in your terms of reference Sewta would comment as follows:
There is a need to improve dialogue at both a political level through regular meetings between the Member Chair of the Sewta Board and at senior officer level. An approach has been made to formalise regular dialogue at senior levels and hopefully this will soon be agreed.
Whilst WAG officers, who attend Sewta meetings, are kept appraised of the consortium’s plans and aspirations, there is no reciprocal arrangement for discussion of the Trunk Road programme. Sewta would be keen to provide a 'local’ input from the Transport and Regeneration perspective.
There is a need to see maintenance and development of the transport network as a partnership, with greater consensus on the detailed programmes that the consortium pursues. It is hoped that the forthcoming delivery of the new Regional transport Plan will identify new funding arrangements. It is also hoped that there will be more engagement with WAG in respect of trunk road plans and strategies.
There is concern about the slowing down of the development of the Heads of the Valley (HOV) A465 strategic route as this is seen vital for the regeneration of the area. There could also be increased pressure on this route following the decision not to proceed with the M4 relief road.
Now that a decision has been made not to proceed with the M4 relief road, it is important to bring forward the mitigation measures outlined in the NTP
Over the last 20 years in the Sewta area, local authorities have promoted many successful railway developments. This track record is the most extensive in the UK. Although WAG will be taking forward the implementation of future rail schemes with Network Rail, it will remain with Sewta member local authorities to undertake the initial feasibility studies into future schemes and bring them forward. This is vital and will reinforce the relationship between Sewta and WAG.
In conclusion, Sewta believes that there is an emerging willingness within WAG to involve the consortium in a range of transport issues. This is most welcome. Similarly Sewta is evolving to deliver a regional agenda and is making the necessary changes to achieve this. Given these developments there is scope for a true partnership to take forward the transport agenda for South East Wales.
