The Future of Road Investment in Wales: Advice from the independent Panel appointed by the Welsh Government

Deputy Minister Lee Waters set up the Roads Review Panel to review road schemes that are under development and to make recommendations for the future of road investment in Wales. We were asked to review road schemes in the light of the Wales Transport Strategy ambitions and priorities, Programme for Government commitments and the second low carbon delivery plan, Net Zero Wales. Our reviews of 51 individual road schemes applied criteria set out in our Initial Report, which were firmly based on the ambitions, priorities and commitments in current Welsh Government policy. In turn, our recommendations for the future of road investment build on evidence and insights from the individual scheme reviews. The challenge of our time is to achieve a prosperous economy and a fairer society whilst protecting and enhancing the environment, for our own well-being and that of future generations. The Panel was mindful that all of these goals are equally important. To rise to this challenge requires preparedness to halt or redirect legacy schemes when they are no longer fit for purpose. But it is important to keep the best of what we have – and so the Panel has looked closely to determine which of the schemes under review are consistent with the aims of the Wales Transport Strategy, Programme for Government and Net Zero Wales. This final report marks the end of the Roads Review Panel’s work. We hope that our recommendations will be of assistance to Ministers in deciding which schemes to take forward, modify or cease to support. The Panel is optimistic about what comes next, in the important task of constructing a high-quality integrated transport network for urban and rural areas, across all regions of Wales. Lynn Sloman, Chair of the Roads Review Panel.