Renewed calls for an M4 Relief Road to be built have been made as this month marks the six-year anniversary of the much-needed project being axed by the Welsh Government.
Plans were underway to build the relief road, which would’ve drastically eased congestion and motoring mayhem on the M4 around Newport.
However, then-First Minister Mark Drakeford slammed the brakes on the vital infrastructure project after spending £157m of public cash on research and development.
Six years on from the government’s decision, and there have been no improvements with bumper-to-bumper traffic still plaguing the key route.
Natasha Asghar MS made the case for reviving the relief road during a debate in the Welsh Parliament this week.
The South Wales East MS told the Senedd:
“My constituents are regularly faced with bumper-to-bumper traffic and long delays on this vital route because it is simply not fit for purpose.
“These never-ending clogs are not just a nightmare for those stuck in them, they are also a major economic roadblock.
“The constant gridlock and the unreliable nature of the M4 is undoubtedly making Wales a less attractive place to do business.
“The M4 in Newport was ranked within the top 50 traffic hotspots in Europe and was the 4th most congested stretch of urban motorway in the UK. This is nothing to be proud of.”
Natasha drew attention to Labour politicians who previously supported the relief road plans including former First Minister Vaughan Gething, current Transport Minister Ken Skates, and Newport West MS Jayne Bryant.
The Welsh Conservative politician also criticised recommendations from the Burns Commission, which was set up in light of the government’s decision to axe the relief road.
Natasha added:
“The short-sighted decision to abandon the relief road was a sucker punch for many and went against the recommendations of a planning inspector who backed the scheme as value for money.
“In the six long years since the relief road was canned, things have gone from bad to worse along the M4.
“Not only do daily bottlenecks still plaque this stretch of road, but now we have the 50mph speed limit cameras exacerbating problems further.
“Following the government’s warped decision to axe the M4 relief road, we were told the Burns Commission would be able to crack the issue.
“And what was their solution? Invest in rail, create rapid bus routes, build cycleway corridors, encourage working remotely, and of course introduce those dreaded 50mph speed cameras.
“I really hate to be the one to break the news to the Welsh Government, but none of this is working, and the fact remains we still need an M4 Relief Road.”
