| Synopsis: |
This inquiry has studied the cross-border connectivity of the Welsh transport network, including road, rail and air travel. The economic benefits of connectivity, both in the movement of people and of goods, are important: the Welsh economy is sustained and developed by links across the border. Responsibility for transport policy is fragmented with the Department for Transport, Welsh Assembly Government and local authorities involved, and there is a lack of policy co-ordination between these parties. Fragmentation is a feature of all the areas studied during this inquiry. In rail, improvement schemes are too often evaluated only on their local benefits, rather than strategically across a wider region. There is significant scope for greater co-ordination of the different rail franchises. On the road network, works are being held back by a failure to plan projects at a strategic level. Finally, the potential economic benefits of existing air services are not being maximised because airports, local authorities and Visit Wales are not working with a common purpose.The Committee concludes that the effectiveness of the cross-border transport network is being hampered by a lack of co-ordination and a failure to insulate strategic UK and EU priorities from regional interests. |