Plaid Demand Action on Swansea Bay Metro Project

Dr Dai Lloyd, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for South Wales West has questioned the Labour Welsh Government's commitment to the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys Metro scheme.

A feasibility study was commissioned into the project following a budget deal between Plaid Cymru and the Labour Welsh Government in 2017, however, there has been little progress from Labour in the following three years.

The scheme aims to better connect communities in the Gwendraith, Amman, Swansea, Dulais, Neath and Afan valleys with improved public transport infrastructure such as more frequent bus services from hubs such as Swansea and Neath and the reopening of rail lines such as the Amman-Tawe and Neath Valley lines.

Dr Lloyd today (1st July) raised the issue with Finance Minister and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans MS, stating,

"For three years there has been next to no action from the Labour Welsh Government on the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys Metro. South West Wales is crying out for a fit for purpose, 21st century public transport system. Investment in such a scheme would encourage people out of their cars and help to tackle the climate crisis we are currently facing."

Dr Lloyd added,

"I am beginning to question Labour's commitment to the scheme. I personally raised the issue with the Labour Welsh Government on two occasions last year and on 25th February this year it took three questions from Plaid Cymru to Labour in the Senedd to get a non committal answer."

"This Labour Welsh Government must commit to making a decision on the scheme, and the associated funding as soon as possible, or they will have turned their back on the agreement they made with not only Plaid Cymru, but also with the people of the Western Valleys."