In a bold move to address climate change, the Welsh government has made the decision to abandon all major road-building projects and instead prioritize the development of infrastructure initiatives that encourage a shift towards public transport, walking, and cycling.
This new focus is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future for Wales.
The decision will scrap all major road-building projects in favour of investing in infrastructure projects that prioritize reducing carbon emissions and supporting a shift to public transport, walking, and cycling.
Lee Waters, deputy minister for economy and transport, revealed this as part of the country’s ‘National Transport Delivery Plan,’ with the aim of ensuring that new roads are only built in cases where it is the appropriate response to transport issues.
Plans for a third Menai bridge, major M4 improvements, and the controversial £300m Red Route in Flintshire will not go ahead, while only 17 of the 55 road projects under review have been given the go-ahead with recommendations for modifications.
While the Welsh government is investing in rail, bus, and other walking and cycling projects, the department’s budget is expected to drop by 8% next year. The decision has been praised by environmental and transport campaigners but has raised concerns in the construction industry and among council leaders who worry about the potential risks to jobs and funding for much-needed improvement works.
While environmental campaigners have welcomed the move, it has raised concerns in the construction industry and among council leaders.
What is the ‘National Transport Delivery Plan’ in Wales (NTDP)
The policy is part of the Welsh government’s ambitious National Transport Delivery Plan.
The Welsh government’s National Transport Delivery Plan (NTDP) for 2022 sets out how it will improve transport across Wales and move towards a net-zero carbon future. The plan includes three key priorities: to improve connectivity, to create low-carbon transport, and to make transport more accessible and affordable.
The Welsh government aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by reducing pollution and offsetting any remaining emissions. It wants to encourage people to reduce their car journeys and support public transport, making it easy to use and affordable. It will invest in better internet connections and super-fast broadband for businesses to enable remote working.
The plan aims to connect services, such as rail, bus, and active travel routes, and improve and grow active travel routes, such as cycle paths and footpaths. It will work with local authorities and commercial operators like bus companies to develop transport solutions that meet people’s needs.
To protect the environment, the Welsh government will invest in low-emission vehicles, make sure all public transport vehicles are low-emission and increase the number of electric vehicles charging points. It will also deal with the effects of Brexit and work with the UK government to develop greener, more sustainable fuels.
The plan itself goes into detail about the roles and responsibilities of the Welsh government and the UK government in improving the transport system. The Welsh government is responsible for some parts of the transport system, including roads, buses, taxis, and some of the rail network. However, parts of the transport system are the responsibility of the UK government, including parts of the rail networks, rules about vehicles and regulations, shipping ports, and air networks.
The government then aims to work with local authorities, Transport for Wales (TfW), commercial operators, community groups, and the UK government to deliver the plan while also linking the plan to other laws and plans, including the Wales Transport Strategy and Net Zero Wales: Carbon Budget 2.
The NTDP will affect active travel, bus services, rail services, roads, streets, parking, community transport services, taxis, and private hire vehicles, goods and commercial transport, sea transport for people and goods, and air transport for people and goods. The plan will be monitored by the National Transport Performance Board (NTPB) and the Monitoring Framework, which will track progress towards achieving the goals of the plan.
The NTDP represents a significant step forward in creating a more sustainable and accessible transport system in Wales. By prioritizing connectivity, low-carbon transport, and accessibility, the Welsh government is taking bold steps to address the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. As the world transitions to a more sustainable future, the NTDP demonstrates the potential for governments to take decisive action to create a better world for all.
TLDR
- The Welsh government has abandoned major road building projects to prioritize infrastructure initiatives that encourage a shift towards public transport, walking, and cycling, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and creating a more sustainable future for Wales.
- The move is part of the country’s National Transport Delivery Plan, which includes three key priorities: improving connectivity, creating low-carbon transport, and making transport more accessible and affordable.
- The Welsh government aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by reducing pollution and offsetting any remaining emissions.
- The plan focuses on connecting services such as rail, bus, and active travel routes, improving and growing active travel routes, and investing in low-emission vehicles and electric vehicle charging points to protect the environment.
- The plan will affect active travel, bus services, rail services, roads, streets, parking, community transport services, taxis, and private hire vehicles, goods and commercial transport, sea transport for people and goods, and air transport for people and goods.
- The plan will be monitored by the National Transport Performance Board and the Monitoring Framework, which will track progress towards achieving the goals of the plan.
- The move has been praised by environmental and transport campaigners but has raised concerns in the construction industry and among council leaders about the potential risks to jobs and funding for much-needed improvement works.
- The NTDP represents a significant step forward in creating a more sustainable and accessible transport system in Wales.
