The economic aspirations of Wales rely on an efficient transport system which has adequate capacity and services to enable a sustainable level of regeneration, new development and maintenance of existing economic activity, and better access to markets in Wales and beyond. Wales' environment , one of its greatest assets, is severely degraded in parts. Whilst safeguarding or mitigating the effects on the environment where possible, overall sustainability can be improved by taking opportunities to enhance the environment where opportunities are present. Environmental issues in transport such as air quality and noise impinge on the health aspirations for Wales as do cycling and walking strategies. Wider actions to promote use of cleaner fuels and enforce vehicle emission standards are likely to produce significant improvements in these areas.
Safety is of particular importance in transport and connects with the economic and health agendas.
Whilst not a devolved issue for public transport the Assembly will press transport operators, and Central Government, to ensure proper investment in safe transport. The UK Government has set challenging road casualty reduction targets for 2010, shared by the Assembly. Integration cuts across several areas and we must identify and take opportunities to improve integration within transport, with the environment and land-use planning. Local authority partners and consortia need an integrated approach to transport, including across boundaries. Availability of real time information on all modes to those planning and undertaking journeys is a key element in effective integration.