£8.1bn Welsh investment to support green infrastructure

Wales’ new Infrastructure Investment Strategy, underpinned by investment of more than £8.1 billion over the next three years, seeks to move public services towards zero carbon.

Before 2025, the Welsh Government will invest £770 million to support public transport, with a £585 million investment in rail and a £185 million investment in bus travel. The effects of climate change are also being guarded against with investment of more than £100 million on flood defences. More than 45,000 homes will benefit from additional flood protection measures in this Senedd term, and more than 17,400 homes around the Welsh coastline will see reduced risk through the Coastal Risk Management Programme.

The strategy will also support the creation of a National Forest, and improve access to landscapes and outdoor recreation through investment in designated landscapes and the development of the Wales Coast Path, National Trails and Public Rights of Way network. In total more than £153 million will be spent to support Wales’ nature and environment.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Our budget set the foundations to strengthen public services, tackle the climate and nature emergency, and support a zero carbon economy. Investment in the right infrastructure, in the right places, will be vital in achieving this.

“Investment will differ from sector to sector and from programme to programme, but we will look to position all future investments so they play their part in helping Wales reach net zero. All areas of spend will consider environmental outcomes, even those which may have a different primary focus. The overarching ambition of our investment will be to tackle the climate and nature emergency. It will be to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to support the Wales we want to hand on to future generations – a stronger, fairer, greener Wales.”