Written Assembly Questions tabled on 8 February 2017 for answer on 15 February 2017
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W - Signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.
(Self-identifying question no. shown in brackets)
Written Questions must be tabled at least five working days before they are to be answered. In practice, Ministers aim to answer within seven/eight days but are not bound to do so. Answers are published in the language in which they are provided, with a translation into English of responses provided in Welsh.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What is the value of Wales' trade with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland? (WAQ73120)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What estimates has the Welsh Government made of Welsh exports to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and could these be provided? (WAQ73121)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Does the Welsh Government hold any figures regarding the amount exported to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and could these be provided? (WAQ73122)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure (Ken Skates): There are no official statistics on trade between Wales and the rest of the UK. Researchers have developed estimates in the past but the level of integration between the economies makes the measurement of trade between Wales and the rest of the UK a challenging task. We are engaging with our businesses to better understand inter-UK trade effects as well as Welsh direct trade with the rest of the world. We expect to be able to share this analysis in the summer.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm whether the building of the northern access road is a firm commitment by Aston Martin to locate their facility at the Red Dragon Hangar? (WAQ73123)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Ken Skates: The building of the Northern Access Road is a firm commitment from the Welsh Government, not from Aston Martin.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement to indicate the reasons why the Eglwys Brewis road is not considered a suitable alternative to the northern access road? (WAQ73124)
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm what specific moduling of the existing Eglwys Brewis road route has been done to ascertain suitability? (WAQ73125)
Answer received on 16 March 2017
Ken Skates: The Northern Access Road (NAR) must have a fit for purpose access to the major highway routes for vehicles of all sizes, including logistics vehicles. Such an access should be sized to accommodate successful future growth of the business park. The route of the Northern Access Road identified in the Local Development Plan (LDP) was subject to an option analysis at the time it was first conceived. More recently an option analysis focused specifically on the LDP route and Eglwys Brewis Road. This analysis concluded that, for various technical reasons and issues around flooding and land ownership, the road would best be delivered along the route of the NAR as identified in the LDP.
Traffic modelling has been conducted. This traffic modelling has examined a range of scenarios including a scenario whereby all Airside Business Park traffic utilises the existing Eglwys Brewys Road. This indicated adverse impacts on residents along Eglwys Brewys Road, particularly in terms of noise.
In addition, a draft highway alignment has been prepared for upgrading Eglwys Brewys Road which has allowed indicative cost estimates to be prepared and land-take requirements to be assumed.
To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary confirm that the monies allocated for flood alleviation in respect of Llanmaes remain available and indicate the total sum? (WAQ73126)
Answer received on 17 March 2017
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs (Lesley Griffiths): I have confirmed funding for the Llanmaes flood alleviation scheme in my budget announcement for the next financial year. I am allocating £2.025 million toward this scheme. This remains subject to the completion of the detailed design and obtaining all relevant permissions and consents.
Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement as to why flood alleviation measures announced in 2016 will no longer proceed in Llanmaes until the northern access road is built? (WAQ73127)
Answer received on 17 March 2017
Lesley Griffiths: The programme for delivery of the Llanmaes Flood Alleviation Scheme has been progressed by the Local Authority since the announcement in 2016 and preparatory work has been independent of the proposals for the St Athan Northern Access Road (NAR).
Officials from the Flood and Transport teams have been working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Natural Resources Wales to identify how the flood alleviation scheme proposed for the village and the requirements for the NAR can be integrated.
It has been agreed the two schemes will be combined and one single flood storage area constructed below the village, in addition to drainage works. This offers the most sustainable and economic and long term solution to reduce flood risk to properties.
The flood attenuation area below the village will, subject to planning permission being granted in the summer, be the very first element of works to be started.