(Title Image: © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence. BY-SA-2.0)
The Motion
The Senedd:
- Welcomes the recent relaxation of coronavirus restrictions on travel and acknowledges the adverse impact previous travel restrictions had on personal relationships, mental health and wellbeing and retailers.
- Regrets the failure of the Welsh Government to provide adequate support for Welsh bus operators during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Expresses disappointment that the Welsh Government has discouraged airlines from flying from Cardiff Airport.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to: rule out quarantine requirements for residents travelling to Wales from within the Common Travel Area (Owen: presumably after they’ve been abroad based on the debate); urgently review and increase the support available to bus operators; promote new routes from Cardiff Airport to safe destinations to help it bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic.
Decade of cuts have left bus services in peril
Slamming the Welsh Government’s pandemic movement restrictions as “more draconian and longer-lasting” than any other part of the UK, Darren Millar MS (Con, Clwyd West) said it was important government rules are fair and proportionate.
With lockdown easing, many people will opt to travel by bus, but a decade of cuts and the implementation of social distancing restrictions (i.e. limiting the number of seats in use) should prompt more support for the sector. The Confederation of Passenger Transport said an additional £5.7million a month would restore bus services to pre-pandemic capacity.
While finding a lot to agree with in the Tory motion, Helen Mary Jones MS (Plaid, Mid & West Wales) presented a scenario whereby there was an outbreak in Paris. In those circumstances, wouldn’t it be right for the Welsh Government to be able to require quarantine for someone from the rest of the UK visiting Wales?
“….the (bus) industry welcomes the £29 million that the Government announced on 31 March, but let’s be clear, that was not new money. Also, that money only lasted three months, and those three months have now passed. So, Wales is the only UK nation that has not provided additional funding for support for the industry.”
– Shadow Economy Minister, Russell George MS (Con, Montgomery)
People face a choice between public transport or nothing
Lynne Neagle MS (Lab, Torfaen) said that for many of her constituents, it’s a choice between travelling by public transport or nothing. She supported calls for mandatory face coverings to be used on public transport, both for general public health reasons but also to protect bus drivers – who’ve been disproportionately affected by Covid-19.
Leader of the Opposition, Paul Davies MS (Con, Preseli Pembs.) said the haulage industry has missed out on important grant aid, though Huw Irranca-Davies MS (Lab, Ogmore) praised how quickly Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils, working with First Cymru, managed to bring some bus services back.
“….we’re calling on the Welsh Government to relax the 2-metre rule to 1 metre plus….to ensure buses can run, and other transport bodies can reopen. As UK Covid-secure guidance states….wearing a face covering, thorough cleaning, practising good hygiene, improved ventilation, and using protective screens at 1 metre is broadly equivalent to being 3m apart.”
– Mark Isherwood MS (Con, North Wales)
“Not a serious response to serious times”
Deputy Minister for Economy & Transport, Lee Waters (Lab, Llanelli), thanked transport workers for delivering key services during the pandemic, noting the importance of Cardiff Airport in securing supplies from abroad.
He rejected pretty much every claim made by the Conservatives during the debate and accused them of trying to make public health policy by press conference.
“Our emergency funding will continue to guarantee backing for the (bus) industry. Our support now stands at over £45 million for the first six months of this financial year, and yet today’s motion regrets our failure to provide adequate support. These are serious times – this is not a serious response.”
– Deputy Minister for Economy & Transport, Lee Waters
Guidance on the use of face coverings on public transport in order to allow more people to travel is being considered, but he warned the Senedd that there are trade-offs – such as the impact on the disabled (who might not be able to wear face coverings). He also rejected Conservative criticisms of a lack of support for Cardiff Airport, saying the Tories should put more effort into arguing for a UK Government-led regional airport strategy.
Vote
To hopefully prevent a repeat of last week’s fun and games, here’s a reminder that this was a Conservative-led debate so the graphic is the vote on whatever’s listed in the box at the top of the page.
The government-backed amended version – which replaced the original motion and noted support given during the pandemic and working with other UK nations on lifting travel restrictions – was passed by 29 votes to 22 with 4 abstentions.