SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is calling for the Welsh Government to do more to reduce freight crime on roads and at truck stops.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport said: “I’d like to call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales in relation to measures being taken by the Welsh Government to reduce freight crime on roads and at truck stops.
“I’ve been contacted by a haulage firm in Wrexham who’ve raised this specific concern with me. They’re seeing an increased in freight crime in Wales, and specifically they mentioned the Heads of the Valleys road and the A470 near Merthyr Tydfil.
“I have attempted to contact Emma Wools, the South Wales police and crime commissioner. In fact, I’ve written to Emma Wools three times and I’ve not had one response back from her in regard to this issue, so that is concerning.
“But I wonder what work the Welsh Government is doing to address the issue of freight crime, particularly at those locations, and a statement from the Cabinet Secretary would be appreciated.”
Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip thanked Sam for raising the issue and said she would follow it up.
Mr Rowlands added: “I have mentioned my concern previously here in the Senedd on several occasions on behalf of businesses in North Wales and the Road Haulage Association, and I do hope the matter will be treated as a priority.
“This is a sector that we rely on every single day for transporting those goods that we all need and it is absolutely vital we provide adequate secure parking and investment on our key freight routes.”
