5. Will the First Minister provide an update on the electrification of the south Wales valley lines? OQ59669

Llywydd, Transport for Wales are making good progress with the electrification of the core Valleys lines. The upgrade works inevitably cause some disruption for passengers, but these works are essential in order to complete the transformation of the network and to deliver the generational change to services that it will bring about.

First Minister, it is excellent to note the progress on electrification. I am, however, concerned that this improvement does significantly increase the risks to those who trespass on the railway, including at Cwmbach in my Constituency, where there's a pedestrian level crossing and one of the highest recorded rates of trespass in Wales. With almost 1,000 instances of anti-social behaviour and trespass on the core Valleys line alone in 2022, and with overhead line equipment supplying 100 times the electricity of a normal home supply, the consequences of trespass are now incredibly serious. Transport for Wales's 'no second chances' campaign is a very useful Intervention, highlighting the risk of fatalities. First Minister, will you join with me in encouraging Members in this Chamber and our communities more widely to help spread this vitally important message?

Well, certainly, Llywydd, I would be very happy indeed to do that. The 'no second chances' campaign is a hard-hitting campaign for any of you who've seen the material that it uses, but it needs to be as well, because the overhead lines that are now live do pose a genuine and serious risk to anyone who trespasses on the network. Now, Transport for Wales, as part of the development, are what they call 'target hardening'. They are increasing security around the network, with additional fencing, extensions to safety barriers on bridges and so on, but it's not the people who follow the rules that we need to worry about here; it is those people who, in the past, have taken part in trespassing or sometimes in vandalism as well, because the risks to them from these developments are very real indeed.

TfW are going to be carrying out work in St David's Centre in Cardiff to communicate the changes that have come about and to pass on the messages of the campaign. And over the next 18 months, they will be visiting over 200 schools in Cardiff and in the Valley communities. I'm very happy, Llywydd, to ask TfW to provide all Members with details of that programme, and anything that we can do individually, in the areas that we represent, to reinforce that message that things have changed with electrification of the Valleys lines. Things have changed very much for the better, but there are risks involved as well, and young people, and anybody else who is unaware of that, have a right to know about those changes to make sure that they don't do things that place themselves at a very significant risk.

Last week, First Minister, myself and my Local Government and Housing Committee colleagues visited our counterparts in Edinburgh and witnessed at first hand the success of their public transport system, which includes a mixture of regular trains, buses and trams. Indeed, a tram line runs directly to and from their international airport, ferrying tourists right into the heart of their capital city. I'm grateful for my colleague's question regarding the electrification of the south Wales Valleys lines, but it currently takes anything from 50 minutes to an hour and a half to get to Cardiff Airport from the city centre. I'm interested to know what specific action the Welsh Government is taking to improve connectivity to Cardiff Airport. Thank you.

Well, Llywydd, connections to Cardiff Airport will not depend on electrification of the south Wales Valleys lines, which was the subject of this question.

I was lucky enough to be in Edinburgh over half term, and I agree with Member that the tram line that links the airport to the city centre is a very effective piece of public transport indeed. It was, as Members here will remember, many years and many, many millions of pounds late and over budget by the time that it came about. There are arrangements for public transport to Cardiff Airport, Llywydd; they don't depend on electrification of the south Wales railway line.

Question 6 [OQ59658] and 7 [OQ59670] have been withdrawn. Question 8, Gareth Davies.