Better and cheaper ways to beat the jams
YOUR article headed “Majority in Wales back new M4 relief road, poll suggests” (WM. April 27) was misleading.
You claim that a poll you commissioned showed that 63% of adults in Wales “are in favour of the M4 relief road being built” – but then give more detailed figures that show only 36% are definitely in favour. You cannot lump in the “possibly” answers to get to 63% – those replies are, at best, undecided.
Even more importantly, you do not tell us which questions were asked, so we can’t judge the validity of the poll.
If you ask “Should some costeffective measures be taken to ease the congestion on the M4 around Newport?” most of us will say yes.
If you ask, “Should the Welsh Government’s preferred route for an M4 relief road go ahead, even though it is very much more expensive than the alternatives, and will destroy unique and important natural and historic habitat and Sites of Special Scientific Interest?” you might get a different answer!
Regular heavy congestion around the Brynglas tunnels is frustrating, costly and bad for the environment. But there are better and cheaper solutions. Paul Seligman Cardiff
Editor’s Note: Beaufort Research asked those who participated in the poll the following question: “The Welsh Government is planning to build a new section of motorway around Newport in south east Wales. The new M4 relief road is aimed at easing traffic-related problems affecting the M4 corridor at Newport. The Welsh Government says it will improve accessibility for people as well as Welsh goods and services to international markets. Opponents say the preferred route would damage the environment and make it difficult to afford transport projects elsewhere in Wales. The latest official estimate of the cost of the preferred route for the proposed M4 relief road is between £1.3bn and £1.4bn. Respondents were given four options: The M4 relief road should definitely be built. The M4 relief road should possibly be built.The M4 relief road should not be built. Don’t know. Beaufort Research’s advice was that it was reasonable to interpret the first two options as being in favour of the scheme. The story gave a series of detailed breakdowns of those who thought the relief road should definitely be built and those who thought it should possibly be.