The South East Wales Transport Commission report found that the M4 near Newport ranked within the top 50 traffic hotspots in Europe, and was the 4th most congested stretch of urban motorway in the United Kingdom.
The proposed six-lane motorway, designed to bypass the heavily congested Brynglas Tunnels, was scrapped in June 2019 by then-First Minister Mark Drakeford nd , citing the £1.4 billion cost, the ecological importance of the Gwent Levels, and the Welsh Government’s commitment to reduce emissions from transport.
Over £150 million had already spent on preparatory work and planning before the project was abandoned.
The Welsh Government proposed rail and bus improvements between Cardiff and Newport as a way of reducing traffic on the M4, creating six new stations at Newport Road, Cardiff Parkway, Newport West, Newport East, Llanwern and Magor – know as the Burns stations after the recommendations set out by the South East Wales Transport Commission Chaired by Lord Burns.
Last week, UK Government Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced £445m for rail investment in Wales over the next 10 years to include the Burns Stations, but this has been criticised for being “measly”, with Welsh Liberal Democrat’s Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP saying “the indefensible decision to spread this measly amount of rail funding over 10 years not only robs Wales of what it is owed for past projects, but also guarantees that we will continue to fall behind in infrastructure spending, as major transport projects in England get the green light.”
In the Senedd this week, the Welsh Conservatives have tabled a motion calling on the Welsh Government to deliver an M4 relief road. The Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru are currently set to vote against this motion.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said: “Labour’s decision to scrap the M4 relief road wasted huge amounts of money, and was an attack on Welsh motorists.
“An M4 relief road would have alleviated traffic demands, whilst boosting our economy and investment into Wales.
“Welsh Conservatives will always be on the side of motorists, and that’s why we’re calling for the M4 relief road to be delivered.”
In early 90’s I saw a huge model at Aust Services, showed the link from a new 2nd crossing to West if Bryn Glas tunnels.
The new Severn bridge and its Road are aligned ready for this.
Build the road, use Welsh companies, create Welsh jobs.
Cut down traffic jams, reduce pollution as cars can run at efficient speeds.
Get rid of the stupid Drakeford stupid signs advising slow down to cut pollution … the delays & jams have the opposite effect.