Ken Skates AM Minister for Economy and Transport addressed over 120 transport engineers at ICE’s annual Welsh National Transport Conference, which was held at the Novotel in Cardiff on Wednesday 20 November 2019.
Speaking about the many transport infrastructure projects both completed and currently underway, Ken Skates AM explained the positive impacts these have made across Wales.
He said “We remain resolute in our determination to deliver the ambitious infrastructure plans set out in both the infrastructure Investment Plan and our National Transport Finance Plan updated this Spring”.
He added that ”these projects ranged from the recently completed£26m and the £95m Newtown Bypass – to the 5 Mile Lane Improvement to the £900m A465 improvements. Such projects “confirm our commitment to road improvements”.
The Minister also explained that transport decarbonisation is a key priority for Welsh Government and a shift to more people making every-day journeys by walking and cycling.
Moving to rail improvements, he said the Transport for Wales (TfW) has created over 3,000 new advanced fares making rail travel cheaper than ever for any journeys over 50 miles and from January 2020 there will also be fares reductions across the TfW network.
He concluded by saying that everything he talked about can only be the starting point for something bigger and how a good start has been made on the revolutionary journey, there will be plenty of twists and turns in the road and tracks ahead and how it needs the public, the Transport Engineers and Professionals present at the Conference and stakeholders to get on board to make the journey a reality.”
ICE Wales Cymru Immediate Past Chair Matt Jones opened the conference, which brought together the Institution of Civil Engineers, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation in a collaborative effort to address the most pressing issues facing the transport sector today, including decarbonisation, active travel and the impact of carbon reduction on our transport network.
Keith Jones, ICE Wales Cymru Director said:
“We were thrilled to have had the Welsh Government Minister and a number of esteemed transport professionals address us on the exciting proposals and transport infrastructure developments taking place across Wales (and further afield). As professionals, it is crucial that we come together regularly to learn from each other, share information, and think about the impact of our work on wider society. Our sincere thanks go to WSP for sponsoring the event again this year; without its support this event would not have been possible.”
As well as running its usual programme of evening lectures and conferences, ICE Wales Cymru is holding a series of events this year delivering talks to sixth form students and schoolchildren – to promote civil engineering as a career option and explain how civil engineers shape the world around us.
