The funding, which will be for the for the first phase of a safety scheme, will see average speed cameras installed on the A543 in Denbighshire and Conwy, the section of the ‘EVO Triangle’ with the highest collision record. It will also allow the design and pre-installation works for the second and final phase of the full scheme to progress.

Incidents of dangerous driving involving excessive speed have taken place on the route and this plan of action, which is jointly led by Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council, aims to tackle such occurrences.

Average speed cameras provide the most extensive and continuous enforcement which will make the route less attractive to those intending to exceed the speed limit.

The Welsh Government has previously provided £40,000 to the local authorities to undertake a feasibility study for the route and a road safety practitioners group was established to consider issues at the location.  

Transport Secretary Ken Skates said:

“I instructed Denbighshire and Conwy councils to work closely together to develop an improved solution to reduce instances of dangerous speeding as a priority. The proposal will address issues in the area referred to as the EVO Triangle and I am pleased it is being supported by a £500,000 Road Safety Grant from the Welsh Government.

“Safety on our roads will always be the first consideration when investing in our road network and installing average speed cameras at this location will discourage excessive speeds and improve conditions for local residents, businesses, and those who drive with care and attention.

“We want everyone to use our roads in a safe and responsible way and today’s announcement will help tackle issues which present risks to the travelling public on this route.”

The funding, which will be for the for the first phase of a safety scheme, will see average speed cameras installed on the A543 in Denbighshire and Conwy, the section of the ‘EVO Triangle’ with the highest collision record. It will also allow the design and pre-installation works for the second and final phase of the full scheme to progress.

Incidents of dangerous driving involving excessive speed have taken place on the route and this plan of action, which is jointly led by Denbighshire County Council and Conwy County Borough Council, aims to tackle such occurrences.

Average speed cameras provide the most extensive and continuous enforcement which will make the route less attractive to those intending to exceed the speed limit.

The Welsh Government has previously provided £40,000 to the local authorities to undertake a feasibility study for the route and a road safety practitioners group was established to consider issues at the location.  

Transport Secretary Ken Skates said:

“I instructed Denbighshire and Conwy councils to work closely together to develop an improved solution to reduce instances of dangerous speeding as a priority. The proposal will address issues in the area referred to as the EVO Triangle and I am pleased it is being supported by a £500,000 Road Safety Grant from the Welsh Government.

“Safety on our roads will always be the first consideration when investing in our road network and installing average speed cameras at this location will discourage excessive speeds and improve conditions for local residents, businesses, and those who drive with care and attention.

“We want everyone to use our roads in a safe and responsible way and today’s announcement will help tackle issues which present risks to the travelling public on this route.”

Funding of £16m will be allocated to Local Health Boards to support delivery of actions featured in local integrated winter delivery plans alongside the ambulance service, Local Authority and third sector partners. 

This money will help people to access care closer to home, ensure there is sufficient available hospital capacity and to help people to leave hospital for home when they are ready.

The remaining £4m will fund nationally agreed priorities for the winter period. This funding will be targeted at:

• Extending GP access into evenings and weekends, as well as bank holidays in some areas, to help people access care closer to home
• Supporting older people who have fallen and are not injured to remain in their homes or care homes
• Increasing the number of paramedics and nurses in the ambulance clinical contact centres to provide advice over the phone and help prevent unnecessary journeys to hospital
• Increasing capacity in Emergency Departments to support patient flow and to help resettle older, frail people at home following assessment in the department
• Spreading good practice across Wales from an award winning Welsh Ambulance Service pilot to use highly skilled paramedics to help keep people at home
• Supporting the ‘My Winter Health Plan’ initiative to help  clinicians who visit people at home understand more about their long term conditions and prevent admission to hospital where alternative care would better meet their needs.

The funding announced today is on top of the £5 million announced last week to help relieve pressure on critical care units and the £10 million announced for delivering sustainable social services. 

Vaughan Gething said:

“Last winter was one of the most difficult the NHS has faced in several years.

“Blizzard and freezing conditions, more people using GP and emergency care services, increased admissions to hospitals for older people with complex conditions together with the largest number of flu cases since the pandemic in 2009 meant our NHS was under unprecedented pressure.

“It’s testament to our excellent staff across the NHS, social services and third sector at every level, that the vast majority of patients received timely and high quality care. There’s always more that can be done to ensure that the Welsh NHS and local authorities are ready for whatever winter brings. Considering staff well-being is a part of that.

“We have learned from our experiences of previous winters and the £20million I’ve announced today will support NHS Wales and its partners to enhance delivery of the whole health and care system in the coming months.

“I have made the decision to allocate this funding earlier than in previous years to ensure local health and care teams are as prepared as they can be for the winter to come.”

Welsh Government funding will pay for new MRI scanners at Singleton Hospital, Swansea; Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan; and Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth. 

Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil will also receive funding for Fluoroscopy Equipment.

It is expected that three of the four schemes will be complete in 2019, however the MRI at Bronglais is not expected to complete until 2020.

The Welsh Government has made a commitment to invest in improved screening equipment through the National Imaging Programme. The benefits of the scheme are as follows:

• Improved reliability – reducing numbers of cancelled operations as a result
• Reduced revenue costs of running and maintaining aged equipment; and
• Better quality imaging resulting in earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said:

“The new scanning equipment announced today will improve reliability, leading to better patient satisfaction and fewer cancellations. Improved technology is also much quicker which means health boards can increase the numbers of patients scanned.

“All of this is good news for patients and I’m pleased the significant funding I’ve announced today will make a real difference for health services across Wales.”

At the start of last year the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, set out an ambition for Wales to become a ‘Fair Work Nation’ and a Commission was established in July to make recommendations on how this could be achieved.

A Fair Work Nation is a country where everyone can:

• Access better jobs closer to home
• Develop their skills and careers
• Have decent, life enhancing work without experiencing exploitation or poverty
• Build prosperity and share in that prosperity.

Fair employment for all is central to the Commission’s work and this call for evidence is aiming to tap into a wide range of experiences, views and research relevant to promoting and encouraging fair work in Wales. 

The Commission will develop indicators and consider whether the measures needed to promote fair work currently available to the Welsh Government need to be taken further. It will recommend new or additional steps, including new legislation.

Julie James, Leader of the House for the Welsh Assembly, is overseeing the Commission. She said:

“The call for evidence today will shape Wales’ future world of work for tomorrow, making it fair and equal for all. A Fair Work Nation is a great place in which to live, work and invest.

“As the Welsh Government has recognised, fair work can help achieve a stronger, modernised, inclusive economy as well as addressing inequality by promoting wellbeing and community cohesion. 

“People’s views and experiences give an effective voice for workers, enhancing their ability to contribute to the success of Wales’ economy. I would encourage everyone, whether individually or as an organisation, to submit their evidence and help shape a better working future pan Wales.”

The Commission, a Welsh Government Ministerial body, is chaired by Professor Linda Dickens MBE, Emeritus Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Warwick. She said: 

“I am pleased to have been appointed to chair this important independent Commission. 

“Our recommendations to Ministers next March will be based on evidence and analysis. Through this call for evidence and the engagement meetings we are holding across Wales, we want to learn about the fair work aspirations, priorities and concerns of individuals and organisations. The information, experience and perspectives they provide will help shape our recommendations so I would urge everyone to get involved”.

Evidence submissions are welcome until Monday 19th November 2019.