In the last few weeks a number of political parties have launched their manifestos ahead of the Welsh elections in May. With transport being devolved to the Welsh government there are a number of key policy areas of interest to CIHT. These include how political parties plan to use transport and infrastructure to support and grow Wales’ economy.

More details on the individual manifestos can be found below:

Plaid Cymru

Launched on 5 April 2016 – a copy is available here and a summary can be viewed here 

 

Key Transport pledges are:
•    Back the blue route "or a variation of it" to improve the M4. It also says it will invest in improvements to the A55.
•    Support "the urgent development of a South-East Metro" - plans to revamp the transport network in the South East conurbation.
•    Commission a study on the re-opening of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line
•    Keep Cardiff Airport in public ownership
•    Re-regulate buses, introducing a Transport for London-style franchising system
•    Abolish Severn crossing tolls for people living in Wales, if the powers are devolved
 

 

Welsh Liberal Democrats

Launched on 14 April – a copy is available here and a summary can be viewed here

 

Key Transport pledges are:
•    Improve infrastructure on the A55 to bring it up to standard, and oppose the Black Route development of the M4 relief road.
•    The Black Route is the Welsh Government's plan for a six lane motorway south of Newport. The party says it would implement alternative approaches to tackle congestion, such as improving the "distributor network" around Newport - understood to mean something similar to the 'Blue Route' proposal which upgrades existing roads.
•    Create regional transport authorities to re-regulate buses and deliver major projects like the South Wales metro
•    Press the UK Government to publish a long-term timetable for the full electrification of Welsh railway lines including the North Wales Coast Line
•    Introduce a all-Wales "Oystercard" style service
•    Scrap the Anglesey-Cardiff air link
•    Campaign to abolish tolls on the Severn Bridge once the debts are paid off

 

UKIP Wales

Launched on 15 April – a copy is available here and a summary can be viewed here

 

Key Transport pledges are:
•    Abolish the Severn bridge tolls within two years when they pass into public ownership.
•    Fund any Welsh Government contribution to the bridges' maintenance by axing the budget for climate change projects
•    Would not support the building of the M4 Relief Road along the lines of the six lane motorway Black Route supported by the Welsh Government
•    Supports the "Blue Route", which is an upgrade of existing Newport roads
•    Widen the A55
•    Upgrade the A470 and A483 north/south corridors
•    Freeze rail fares across Wales for first two years of next franchise and cut fares by 10% on lines
•    Support development of a South Wales metro system but not at the expense of projects that can be done now
•    Take a zero tolerance attitude to dangerous cycling

Welsh Conservatives

Launched on 18 April – a copy is available here and a summary can be viewed here

 

Key Transport pledges are:
•    Vowed to "start work on an M4 Relief Road within 12 months of forming a government"
•    Add a Dinas Powys bypass into the National Transport Plan, and develop plans to secure funding for dualling the A40 to Fishguard
•    Commission a study into the impact of removing tolls on the Cleddau Bridge.
•    Bring forward plans to construct a third Menai crossing
•    Upgrade Cardiff Airport's terminal and secure private investment
•    Create an arms-length body to deliver an "integrated transport system"
•    Back a new smart card travel scheme for use on different modes of public transport
 

Welsh Labour

- will be added in due course