I’ll get the north a fair share of cash
PLAID Cymru leader Leanne Wood has pledged to lead a Government that will end Labour’s “neglect” of North Wales if she wins power in the May elections.
Ms Wood will accuse the Welsh Government of planning to “squander” £1bn on enhancements to the M4 and instead promise to improve the A55.
Speaking ahead of a campaign launch in Llandudno last week, she said: “We are committed to spreading prosperity throughout Wales and ensuring that an economic recovery is felt in every community from Holyhead to Holywell. The chronic neglect of the north by the current Labour Welsh Government has leftft the region lagging behind in terms of economic perfor- mance...
“We would bring forward plans to improve the A55 and bring pressure on the Westminster government to fast-track the electrification of thee North Wales main railwayway link.”
Promising action to ensure a “fair share of funding”, she claimed “the North gets 17% of capital spend despite being home to 22.4% of the Welsh population.”
The Plaid leader pledged that one of three specialist cancer diagnostic centres to reduce waiting times will be located in North.
She added: “For too long, the north of our nation has been treated as an after-thought. The Labour Welsh governmen ernment has committed to squa squandering £1bn – more tha than the combined budget of all North Wales authoriti ties – on a few miles of the M4 while roads and railways in the rest of the country are crying out for in investment. There is a mo more cost-effective solution avail available for the M4’s problems, th that would allow money to be spent in the rest of the country, too.”
However, Sion Jones, Welsh Labour candidate in Arfon, said: “We know that when North Wales succeeds. That’s why Welsh Labour is investing in improving the road network like the A55, the A494 Corridor and Northern Gateway improvements. We are also working on better bus and train links, including investing £44m in the rail line between Wrexham and Chester.
“This infrastructure investment is crucial in drawing in financial support and businesses from outside. The three North Wales Enterprise Zones mean that companies based here have access to a high skilled workforce and the support of a proudly pro-business government.
“We have seen a number of high profile job announcements in Deeside, and the new Menai Science Park showcases Wales’ ambition to be a world-leader in the high tech jobs of tomorrow.
“I am proud of Welsh Labour’s achievements for North Wales but remain ambitious for the future.”