M4 stretch ‘not fit for purpose’

A NEW stretch of the M4 around Newport would replace a section that is “not fit for purpose”, an inquiry has been told.

The public inquiry into the controversial proposals for the M4 corridor around Newport opened yesterday.

The hearing was also told how 22 alternative plans to the new route proposed by the Welsh Government had been submitted – including the possibility of “sinking” the new road into an underground tunnel.

Morag Ellis QC, representing the Welsh Government, said the outcome of the inquiry “really matters for Wales”, adding there was “widespread consensus” that something needed to be done to address the problems of congestion on the M4 between Magor and Castleton.

“The M4 is neither a reliable nor resilient network,” she told the inquiry.

The new route would be about 23km (14 miles) long, consisting of three lanes in each direction. It would branch off from the existing M4 at Magor, to the east of Newport, crossing land south of the city before again joining the existing road at Castleton, at the current junction with the A48 near Cardiff.

It would mean a stretch of the current M4, which includes the notoriously busy Brynglas tunnels, could be avoided by through traffic. That portion of the existing route would be converted into a trunk road.

Supporters say the road would have a major positive economic impact on South Wales – even including encouraging more holidaymakers to visit Pembrokeshire and other parts of West Wales – and would also provide easier links to London and the south east of England.

Local commuters would also benefit from less congested roads, which would also mean less CO2 emissions in the long term from traffic being able to flow more freely.

Ms Ellis said: “The existing M4 around Newport is not fit for purpose. In the long run the problem will become worse – and that is from a starting point that’s already unacceptable. There is a significant problem which is only going to get worse and this solution provides a solution that is good value for money.”

She also said the scheme had been specifically designed to complement the planned South Wales Metro.

But opponents argue the cost to the public purse of the scheme would be too high and the extent to which the proposed road would improve traffic flow was unproven.

Objections have been received from organisations including Friends of the Earth, the RSPB, Network Rail, the owners of Magor motorway service station as well as community groups.

Many residents of villages near the new route are also opposed.

And a significant reason for objections is that up to two-thirds of the road would cross a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Wildlife campaigners say the plans would ruin the unique Gwent Levels.

Demonstrators outside the Lysaght Institute in Newport, where the inquiry is taking place, branded the scheme “motorway madness”.

But, in her opening remarks, Ms Ellis insisted any impact on the area would be mitigated, adding: “The Gwent Levels are a valuable and sensitive landscape.”

Chartered civil engineer Matt Jones, the Welsh Government’s chief witness, said more than 100 options for what to do with the congested stretch of the M4 had been assessed and consulted upon. He said: “The M4 is a route of strategic importance and is critical to the Welsh economy.”

Mr Jones said there would be a variety of other knock-on benefits, including the building of a continuous cycleway between Magor and Newport, as well as allowing the reopening of the current M4’s junction 25, giving access to Caerleon. The inquiry continues. City Deal: Page 20