A Welsh Government minister has refused to rule out handing over public cash to pay for the removal of Newport’s Old Green Roundabout.
Plans are afoot to rip out the busy roundabout and replace it with a traffic light-controlled junction, despite huge public backlash.
Natasha Asghar MS this week called on the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates MS, to provide a “ironclad guarantee that this Welsh Government will not hand over any money for this scheme.”
In response, the Cabinet Secretary completely swerved the question and instead insisted the government was working with local authorities to improve traffic flow.
A petition calling for the project to be abandoned continues to gain momentum with more than 1,200 people signing amid fears the damage the work will cause to local businesses and the impact it will have on traffic in the area.
Natasha, who represents South Wales East, told the Senedd:
“With 3,000 vehicles using this key route at peak times every day, these mooted changes will cause major motoring mayhem in and around the city centre.
“Not only that but there are fears this project – which has been billed as part of the alternative solution to Labour’s decision to axe the much-needed M4 relief road – will further hamper our city’s struggling businesses and take us back to the days of the gridlocked roads seen in the 60s and 70s.”
She asked: “Cabinet Secretary, can I get an ironclad guarantee from you that this Welsh Government will not hand over any money for this scheme, and will you join me in putting pressure on the powers that be to heed the public's feedback and abandon these plans?”
In response, Ken Skates said: “Well, can I assure the Member that we're working very closely with the region's local authorities to improve traffic flow, and that means improving Old Green roundabout if it is deemed to be necessary? We're listening to the public and we'll ensure that the public's views are at the heart of any decisions that are made.
“But, in terms of congestion on the M4, as I've already said, the South East Wales Transport Commission's work has been invaluable in providing the business cases for five stations, which will alleviate congestion on the M4, provide more public transport opportunities for people currently deprived of them, deliver more social justice, whilst, at the same time, ensuring that we develop more options for modal shift.”
Commenting after the exchange, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“It is incredibly disappointing and worrying that the Cabinet Secretary failed to rule out providing public cash to pay to rip out Old Green Roundabout and replace it with a traffic light junction.
“There are also genuine concerns that the whole process has been a stitch up, given the public consultation – and I use that phrase loosely – didn’t give residents the option to say they wanted no change to take place.
“If this scheme goes ahead, it will create nothing but problems for Newport City Centre and the surrounding area. It’s imperative these plans are abandoned.”
