Speaking in the Senedd thsi week in the Welsh Conservatives’ debate on major transport projects in Wales, William Graham AM said:
‘The catalogue of overspends and delays that the recent Wales Audit Office report into ‘Major Transport Projects’ in Wales reveals underline the need for the Welsh Government to make substantial improvements in practice and financial control to avoid such a waste of public resources blighting future transport projects.’
‘Having estimated in November 2000 that improvements to the A465 Heads of the Valleys road would be completed in 2009 for an estimated cost of £268 million, the Welsh Government now predicts that the programme will be completed by 2020. Owing to the domino effect of delays the A465 project will have exceeded its initial timetable by 11 years with an overspend of at least £495 million’
‘Tax payers will be angered by the extent of public money wasted on major transport schemes spiral out of control. The Ebbw Valley Railway cost double its estimated cost of £24 million, while the Angel Way in Bargoed also vastly exceeded predictions costing £31.4 million at completion having originally been estimated to cost £17.4 million.’
‘Even more disappointing for many people in South Wales East was the confusion surrounding the aborted M4 relief road – the relief road incurred preparatory costs of 313.9 million, but is not being taken forward to the disappointment of business leaders and regular commuters because the estimated cost increased to more than £1 billion. ‘
‘There remains a considerable need for improvements to the transport infrastructure of South Wales East, such as the long delayed opening of the Ebbw Vale – Newport rail link, but the Welsh Government must learn lessons from the damning Wales Audit Office’s report and minimise waste on future transport projects.’
