The Welsh Government's new Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper MS, will address delegates at the upcoming Metro & Us event at the DEPOT, Cardiff.
It will be Mr Hooper's first public speaking engagement since taking office following the Senedd elections on 7 May. As Deputy Minister for Transport his responsibilities include oversight of Transport for Wales, rail services through the Wales and Borders franchise, the Global Centre of Rail Excellence and the South Wales Metro.
Metro & Us is a one-day conference and exhibition on June 4 organised by Cardiff-based organisations to raise awareness of the benefits of recent investment in the South Wales Metro and encourage delegates to explore and debate what more needs to be done to maximise its impact.
Themes will include regional connectivity and place-making; economic development and inward investment; regeneration and housing; education, skills and social mobility; and funding and governance.
Other speakers at Metro & Us include the CEO of Transport for Wales, James Price; executive director of Transport for West Midlands, Sandep Shingadia, head of the Design Commission for Wales, Jen Heal and Kellie Beirne, CEO of the Cardiff Capital Region. The event will be hosted by Cardiff-born TV presenter and broadcaster, Jason Mohammad, who will chair a number of panel debates throughout the day.
There will also be video addresses from Sydney, Australia, by former adviser under the Blair/Brown governments, Dr Tim Williams, who was influential in the routing of HS1 via Stratford to create a Channel Tunnel rail link and the emergence of the Elizabeth Line in London and by Mikel Hidalgo, a senior presidential advisor to the Basque Government.
Chair of the Metro & Us Steering Group and Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University, Mark Barry, said:
“Metro & Us is not just about patting ourselves on the back for improving the public transport system or reducing car dependency in this part of Wales. It's about how we make sure the Metro is a catalyst for attracting investment and stimulating sustainable economic development and regeneration across the whole region. If we get things right, the Metro can also provide an opportunity to address some of the region's broader challenges – from cutting carbon emissions and air pollution to providing access to better jobs, education and training opportunities, healthcare and other public services.
“Can we build more affordable homes and breathe life into high streets that are easily connected with good quality and environmentally friendly public transport? Can the Metro provide new opportunities for future generations and contribute to a fairer, more equal society? These are the type of questions we'll be asking at Metro & Us.”
Delegates can register for Metro & Us and view the full programme of speakers and exhibitors by visiting www.metroandus.cymru
