Conservatives criticised for still backing M4 relief road
THE Conservative Party has been strongly criticised for still backing the proposed M4 relief road at the same time as insisting on the urgency of combating climate change.
Responding to the comment by Boris Johnson at the COP26 summit in Glasgow that “there are no compelling excuses for our procrastination” on climate change, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters tweeted: “Yes, this is the same Johnson who is threatening to over-rule devolution to build a new M4 through protected wetlands.”
The UK Government has hinted that it may consider building the controversial M4 relief road around Newport, despite the decision of First Minister Mark Drakeford not to go ahead with the project.
While groups like the CBI employers’ organisation backed the relief road, saying it would relieve congestion on the M4 and increase the attractiveness of business investment in Wales, others said quicker solutions were needed and that the relief road would desecrate a unique wetlands landscape.
Also responding to the Conservatives’ position on the relief road, Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Climate Change and Energy, said: “It’s a little dismaying to read that the Conservatives are lecturing other governments on climate action, when they’ve been so vocal about their plans to steam-roll over devolution to build an expensive motorway over protected wetlands.
“Let’s be clear. All governments must step up their game to tackle climate change. But people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones and the Tories should take a closer look at their own abysmal record in government of climate inaction.
“If COP26 is to lead to real action, all governments must be empowered to tackle the crisis head on. The Welsh
Government currently lacks the economic levers to tackle the crisis with the urgency needed.
“Empowering our government with borrowing powers is essential to ensure Wales can play a leading role in the green transition.
“And by devolving powers over the Crown Estate and the devolution of energy powers, we can ensure that it is the people of Wales who benefit from this historic opportunity to create a greener future. Wales can and must lead the way for other nations – but we have to have the tools to do it.”
Responding to the criticism, Welsh Conservative Shadow Transport Minister Natasha Asghar said: “The Welsh Conservatives believe in transforming Wales into a nation fit for the future.
“We need to be forward thinking with our infrastructure, as by the time the relief road is built, we would see electric cars outnumber petrol or diesel cars.
“The report into the M4 relief road itself stated that it would cut traffic – thus cutting emissions too.
“The independent inspector stated that ‘I conclude that, overall, the scheme would lower pollution and provide widespread and significant air quality improvements’.
“Lee Waters should focus on hitting his own targets. Time after time we’ve seen Labour ministers fail to meet their own meagre targets, whether it be tree planting, banning single use plastics or introducing a Clean Air Act.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “In the fight against climate change, the UK continues to lead by example. We were the first major economy to commit to Net Zero in law and we are ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
“The UK Government continues to believe that the M4 relief road remains the most viable solution to the ongoing congestion problems at Newport, especially as we make progress on zero emission vehicles. The need to make improvements for people using the road and rail network is why the UK Government launched its Union Connectivity Review.” On Monday Mr Waters issued a written statement in which he announced his decision not to support any further work on the current Llanbedr Access Road scheme in Gwynedd. He added: “The climate emergency makes it imperative that we avoid investment that increases carbon emissions, especially in the next 15 years when most cars on the road will still be petrol and diesel vehicles.”
If COP26 is to lead to real action, all governments must be empowered to tackle the crisis head on Delyth Jewell