Wales Scraps Plans to Extend M4 Motorway

The Welsh Government has cancelled plans to build a new section of the M4 motorway to act as a relief road.

At a projected £1.4 billion, the relief road was due to be the most expensive infrastructure project ever embarked upon by the Welsh Government.

The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, issued a statement blaming budget concerns for the shelving of the M4 relief road: “In light of the cost of the project, other demands and potential demands on the Welsh Government’s capital budget, and uncertainty as to the financial position of the Welsh Government, the cost of the project, and its consequential impact on other capital investment priorities, was not acceptable. Accordingly, the Welsh Government’s position is that it will not provide funding for the project.”

Many also believe, however, that climate concerns may have also been a factor, especially as Wales declared a nationwide 'climate emergency' in April.

Had work gone ahead, the road would have destroyed important environmental wetlands on the Gwent Levels. Campaigners also voiced concerns that that the road's existence would simply encourage more people to drive, rather than taking more eco-friendly transportation.

Haf Elgar, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “The M4 relief road would be a disaster for the wildlife on the Gwent Levels and lead to more air pollution and climate-wrecking emissions being pumped into our atmosphere.”

The motorway extension would have seen a 14-mile stretch of motorway act as a gateway into south Wales, ostensibly to ease the congestion commuters in motor vehicles frequently face around Newport.

Whether the cancellation of the M4 relief road will lead to increased use of public transport, or simply continue to contribute to a growing congestion and pollution issue, remains to be seen. Mr Drakeford has made assurances that his government will continue to look at forward-thinking solutions to congestion in the area.

Currently mooted plans include greater traffic officer patrols, live journey time updates, and for the funds set aside for the M4 relief road to be used to create a high-quality, integrated and low-carbon transport system in the near future.

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