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New transport plan to be unveiled Improved north-south travel plan
(about 7 hours later)
A four-year plan to improve Wales' transport system is expected to be revealed by the Welsh Assembly Government. Campaigners have said they hope new plans announced this afternoon by the Assembly Government will encourage people to use their cars less.
It will include proposals for a faster north-south rail link, coach services and "substantial" A470 improvements. They include a new rail link between the north and south and improvements to the A470 which links the regions.
Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones is also expected to announce a number of "model" towns to bring together public transport, cycling and walking. £350m is to be spent on trunk roads - north-south as well as improvements and "pinch-points" on the M4 and A55.
These towns across Wales will benefit from improved integrated facilities. A number of towns are also to become "models" for integrated travel to improve public transport across Wales.
Developing integrated local transport is a crucial part of the strategy, BBC Wales understands. Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said these Sustainable Travel Towns would have "greatly enhanced opportunities for walking and cycling, improved public transport and better travel planning".
Bus and train stations in the model towns could be brought closer together if necessary. In his statement to Assembly Members he also announced plans for an enhanced TrawsCambria long-distance coach service including new routes.
In a statement to Assembly Members, Mr Jones will also outline a need to "strategically enhance" the capacity of east-west roads and "exploit the full potential" of the rail network. TRANSPORT PLANS Improved walking, cycling and public transport in 'model towns'Investigate faster rail link between north and south WalesSubstantial improvements on the A470Improve the capacity of east-west corridorsTackle traffic congestion and reduce the environmental impact of personal travel
EXPECTED TRANSPORT PLANS Improved walking, cycling and public transport in 'model towns'Faster rail link between north and south WalesSubstantial improvements on the A470Improve the capacity of east-west corridorsTackling traffic congestion and reducing the environmental impact of personal travel "We want to create a transport network fit for this century coupled with a strategy that addresses the environmental and global challenges of the next," he said
He will suggest that the transport network must strike a balance between Wales' economic, social and environmental aims. Conservative transport spokesman Andrew Davies accused the minister of "dipping into" the Tory election manifesto for his ideas on model towns.
Road expenditure is thought likely to reach £350m over the next four years. "The minister has said he's going to invest £350 million over the next four years," he added.
Stuart Cole, professor of transport at the Wales Transport Research Centre, described the current driving times between north and south Wales as "unacceptable". "That figure sounds impressive on first hearing, but in reality it's just over £87 million a year. That won't go far."
And Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams said media headlines predicting a new transport plan had given her high expectations but that Mr Jones had said "very little at all".
Other European economies are moving people far faster Stuart Cole, professor of transport at the Wales Transport Research Centre
"Your statement is full of 'details in due course', 'assessment of scopes', more feasibility studies, upon the numerous feasibility studies the previous minister carried out, and details to be announced next year."
Stuart Cole, professor of transport at the Wales Transport Research Centre, said current driving times between north and south Wales as "unacceptable".
"Other European economies are moving people far faster," he said."Other European economies are moving people far faster," he said.
"Between north and south Wales, an average over 130 miles of five hours driving time is around 25mph. But people in France are being moved at 200mph by train. "Between north and south Wales, an average over 130 miles of five hours driving time is around 25mph. But people in France are being moved at 200mph by train."
"Clearly we have to do something quite radical about the north-south link." Local economies
But he said that making the A470 - a dual carriageway from north to south - would not only be expensive but it could also damage some of Wales' most beautiful regions. But he said that making the A470 would not only be expensive but it could also damage some of Wales' most beautiful regions.
"People are not looking for a dual carriageway trunk road through the middle of Snowdonia," he said.
"So we have really got to think very carefully about what our options are."
Chris Mason, a director of Newport-based hauliers RJ Mason said it avoided routes to mid and north Wales because of the connections.Chris Mason, a director of Newport-based hauliers RJ Mason said it avoided routes to mid and north Wales because of the connections.
But he said, better transport links would kick start local economies.But he said, better transport links would kick start local economies.
"When they opened the Heads of the Valleys road you found more and more businesses were prepared to move into the area and expand," he said."When they opened the Heads of the Valleys road you found more and more businesses were prepared to move into the area and expand," he said.
'Stranglehold'
Improving road and rail links between north and south Wales is part of the One Wales document agreed between Labour and Plaid Cymru when they formed a coalition Welsh Assembly Government in July.Improving road and rail links between north and south Wales is part of the One Wales document agreed between Labour and Plaid Cymru when they formed a coalition Welsh Assembly Government in July.
Last month Mr Jones announced a proposed M4 relief road from Magor to Castleton could open in 2013.
That statement was prompted by heavy congestion in the Newport area when the motorway was closed for eight hours after a collision in which five people died.
Last week business leaders in Cardiff called for drivers to be charged for using roads to pay for an overhaul of transport to stop a "stranglehold" on the south east Wales economy.
The city's chamber of commerce warned the Welsh economy would fall behind other parts of the UK unless roads were improved.