The Infrastructure Secretary has launched  ‘Moving North Wales Forward – Our Vision for North Wales and the North East Wales Metro’ – which outlines how ambitious proposals will help connect people, communities and businesses to jobs, facilities and services across the region, with the North East Wales Metro integral to these plans.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“Modernising the transport network across North Wales and delivery of an integrated North East Wales Metro are key priorities for the Welsh Government. They  will provide a fantastic platform to deliver sustainable economic development, connecting people, communities and business to employment, services, facilities and markets through reliable, resilient infrastructure.

“Brexit will mean it is more important than ever to have good connections to markets across the Wales – England border, which already sees around one million journeys per month. Direct links to and from key centres in the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands and to London and direct public transport services to airports and key rail hubs will all help to drive economic growth. 

“I have already committed to projects of nearly £600 million for transport infrastructure improvements across the region whilst working hard to secure an additional £41 million of EU funding for transport schemes in the region. But it’s crucial that our investment and ambition does  not stop there. 

“I am proud to launch our vision for a fully integrated North East Wales Metro system which will transform transport links in North East Wales. This will be supported by our ongoing work on the future of local bus services, and by the new Wales and borders rail franchise which will be  in place from 2018.

“I am also pleased to announce plans for a designated team to work in collaboration with other public sector organisations, operators, business, the third sector and communities on both sides of the border to develop the vision and improve transport integration across all modes. This will help inform and deliver a transport system that meets the needs of North Wales, ensuring our vision for a connected North East Wales becomes a reality.

“There is huge potential to deliver increased economic growth in North Wales. A modern, high quality integrated transport system is fundamental to achieving that potential and I am committed to working to make that a reality.”

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board said: 

“The announcement is a firm commitment by the government to support economic growth and prosperity in North Wales, putting it on an equal footing with the city regions in South Wales.

“I particularly welcome the ‘whole system’ approach outlined in the Vision that recognises the strong link between the health of the economy and an effective and modern transport system. The plan is enhanced by the recognition of the cross border commuter flows in the Mersey Dee area. 

“I look forward to working with the Cabinet Secretary to implement the vision for the benefit of all parts of North Wales.”

Cllr Samantha Dixon, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chair of Growth Track 360, the campaign to secure £1bn of rail improvements for North Wales and Cheshire, welcomed the announcement and said: 

“The vision for a Metro for North East Wales will complement the integrated service and infrastructure improvements we are seeking as part of the Growth Track campaign.

“Such investment is essential if we are to create opportunities for generations to come. This investment would increase productivity and economic growth, increasing tax revenues and reducing unemployment across the region.”

Construction will start this summer on a £4 million flood storage area which will reduce the risk of flooding to nearly 300 homes and businesses in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Broadway Parish Council and Childswickham Parish Council have been working in partnership and have now secured over £2 million Government Grant in Aid funding, enabling the scheme construction to begin. The Environment Agency’s English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee have also contributed over £1 million. To enable access to the Government Grant in Aid funding under Defra’s Flood Partnership Funding Model, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are contributing £555,000 and the local parishes have raised £312,000.

Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot were severely flooded in 2007 following record breaking rainfall across the area. The new flood storage area in Broadway will be able to hold up to 135,000 cubic metres of water during times of flood and will only allow a set amount of water to flow downstream at times of intense and high rainfall. This will reduce flood risk along the Badsey Brook downstream of Broadway.

The English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) continues to support the scheme and provided funding which allowed the Environment Agency to purchase the 18 acre field where the majority of the flood storage area is to be located.

As a condition of the planning application detailed archaeological investigations, part funded by Worcestershire County Council, are being carried out. This involves excavation work and will reduce the risk of delays during construction. These ground works are almost complete.

Specialist contractors are currently on site carrying out tree clearance in preparation for the main flood scheme works.

Daniel Wilkinson, from the Environment Agency, said:

Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, so it’s great that by working together with our partners we have managed to find a solution which means we are now one step closer to reducing the risk of flooding for residents living in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Cllr Anthony Blagg, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said:

Now that the archaeological work is nearing completion, this project can move on to the next stage and closer to protecting homes and businesses with this innovative flood alleviation scheme.

Cllr Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment and street scene on Wychavon District Council, said:

It’s almost 10 years since the floods of 2007 but none of us will forget the devastating impact they had. This scheme will help reduce the risk of future flooding and provide greater protection to communities in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Kevin Beasley, from Broadway Parish Council, said:

We are very pleased that the flood alleviation scheme is progressing well and that the residents of both Broadway, Childwickham and Murcot will be more reassured that the properties are safer from flooding and the devastation that they have previously experienced, once the work is completed.

County Cllr for Broadway in Worcestershire, Liz Eyre BEM, said:

This project represents an enormous amount of hard work behind the scenes. I am simply delighted that sticking by the project, working with talented county and district officers at all levels and the Environment Agency has led to this, a real outcome for my residents.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is looking to expand its Synthetic Environment Tower of Excellence (SE Tower) Community of Practice (COP).

Since 2004, the SE Tower has provided a mechanism for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), industry and academia to work together on areas of research in simulation and synthetic environments. The SE Tower aims to develop UK defence capability in this area, and annually seeks to refresh its relationships with the supplier community by opening the COP to new members.

Last year, 11 members joined, bringing our total membership to 49, benefiting from twice-yearly Information Exchange Events (IEE) and access to the Shared Working Environment. The next event is planned for Wednesday 10 May 2017 where Dstl will once again be looking at ways to increase the mutual understanding and co-operation between the MOD and the sector.

Simulation and synthetic environments are used by MOD in a variety of ways, from supporting training, concept development and experimentation, to acquisition, evaluation and mission preparation.

We are now accepting applications to join the SE Tower COP until Friday 7 April 2017. Application forms can be found at the SE Tower website along with more information on the COP.

The Minister for the Constitution heard first hand some of the experiences that members have faced when voting or registering to vote. They discussed ways of encouraging other people with disabilities to engage in their local community and increase voter registration in the lead up to the local authority elections in Scotland in May.

The Glasgow Disability Alliance has over 3,500 members across the greater Glasgow area. Their aim is to bring people together to build confidence, create connections and enable people with disabilities to overcome barriers so they feel they can take part in their communities.

Chris Skidmore, Minister for the Constitution, said:

The Glasgow Disability Alliance is a fantastic organisation that ensures people with disabilities feel confident, empowered and remain an active part of their society.

A big part of this is being able to register to vote and remain a part of our democracy. Today’s visit has helped me understand how we can support people with disabilities to ensure that ours is a democracy that truly works for everyone.

Everyone I have met today has been so passionate about engaging their local community. This is particularly meaningful in the lead up to the local elections in May. Regardless of who you are, or how you vote, every voice matters and we encourage you to register to vote in what will be a significant moment for your area.

Marianne Scobie, Deputy CEO of the Glasgow Disability Alliance said:

As a disabled people’s organisation we know that disabled people want to have their say and have their voices heard. We firmly believe that given the right support, access to information and opportunity to build confidence and make their contributions, disabled people can participate in all aspects of participative democracy.

 Further information

The Minister is visiting Glasgow as part of his Every Voice Matters Tour. The tour will see him visit every part of the country to understand how to tackle barriers to voter registration.

Thank you for inviting me to speak at this event to celebrate the second anniversary of Channel Four’s 360 Diversity initiative.

It’s been fascinating to hear Charles talk about Channel 4’s great work in this area.

I look forward to hearing more about your Year of Disability, where I know you have met and in many cases exceeded your commitments.

For example, the doubling in the number of disabled people in top shows on screen. And off screen, the increase in apprenticeships offered to disabled people.

I know the real reason most of you are here is to listen to the brilliant Riz Ahmed – so I won’t keep you for too long.

I am here to talk about diversity.

There’s no better place to start than to pay tribute to this year’s eventual and deserved Oscar winner Moonlight.

Moonlight told the story of a gay black man, but it didn’t speak just to a gay black audience. It spoke to anyone who’s tried to find a place in the world, and a person to stand beside them in it, to anyone who’s struggled.

And it hasn’t only been a critical success – it has done brilliant business at the box office too.

Black stories, gay stories, the whole gamut of stories should be told not because it’s the right thing to do but because they appeal to us all.

Tell a good story and people will pay to watch and maybe even hand you a shiny statuette if you tell it really well – once they’ve opened the right envelope.

That’s what Moonlight’s win teaches us.

On becoming Minister of State for Digital and Culture I made expanding access and diversity one of my top priorities.

It is a central tenet of this Government that everyone, from every background, of every colour and identity, from every part of the country should have equal chance to succeed. That means an equal chance to access arts and culture.

TV brings culture – high-brow, middle-brow, resolutely low-brow – into homes across the land.

And just as TV audiences are wide and diverse, the industry should be too.

While there is already a push for greater diversity on-screen, and we will continue to support that, it must be matched by a similar drive behind the scenes.

Among writers, directors, commissioners and executives.

Television, this proudly demotic medium, should reflect our richly diverse society not only on screen but behind the scenes. In the production offices and commissioning meetings. It shouldn’t be an echo chamber for one type of person.

I was delighted to launch Diamond in August, and I am sure it will go from strength to strength.

So ask yourself this:

New technology and distribution is making it easier to break through. But does commissioning reflect the diversity of our modern nation?

Strides are being made on gender, disability, sexual identity, and ethnicity.

But what of social diversity too?

I’m delighted by progress. I’m glad there’s a growing consensus that diversity is here to stay. But I’m determined there’s more to be done.

Soon I will be holding a ‘diversity and social mobility’ forum at the world-famous Abbey Road studios. For the first time as a Department, we will be bringing together stakeholders from right across culture, media and sport.

We will celebrate success, and set out what more we can do.

As your Minister, I am determined that by working with many of you in this room, we can make real progress in this area. And ultimately by working together we will reach our goal: of a country that works for everyone, where each and every person has the chance to reach their potential.