‘You can’t build your way out of congestion’ Newport M4 row rages on

Plans for a six lane M4 relief motorway around Newport were scrapped by Mark Drakeford in 2019, but debate has returned ahead of the Senedd election over how to tackle congestion [1] at the Brynglas tunnels. Wales Online readers are eager for a solution.

Of the six main parties, three support some form of new road and three oppose it outright. Labour [2], the Liberal Democrats [3] and the Green Party are against. Reform UK and the Conservatives back a relief road, with Reform suggesting a toll option, while Plaid Cymru [4] say a case should be developed for a solution including new road infrastructure.

The issue came up in a WalesOnline debate with party leaders ahead of the Senedd election on May 7.[5]

Options to ease M4 congestion have been discussed since the 1990s, with major progress in 2014 under Edwina Hart.

The Welsh Government [6] backed the so called black route, a 14 mile six lane motorway south of Newport [7] with a new River Usk crossing and major junction upgrades.

An alternative blue route, proposed by Stuart Cole, focused on upgrading the A48 Southern Distributor Road and former steelworks road instead.

After an 83 day public inquiry in 2018, the project was cancelled in 2019 by Mark Drakeford, who cited cost of around ?1.6bn and environmental concerns. The main proposals all ran south of the current M4, crossing the River Usk, with the black route the most southerly. The red and purple options followed similar corridors, while the blue route relied on existing roads.

The black route was the Welsh Government's preferred option, involving a new motorway between junctions 23 and 29.

It had strong backing from business groups and hauliers but faced major opposition from environmental campaigners over its impact on the Gwent Levels, as well as concerns from the Federation of Small Businesses and Associated British Ports.

The red route proposed a dual carriageway further north than the black route, aiming to reduce environmental impact while still delivering a new crossing. The purple route followed a similar alignment but ran closer to Newport's dockland area and also required a new River Usk crossing.

The blue route would have upgraded existing roads to form a dual carriageway, with supporters arguing it would be quicker and cheaper than building a new motorway.

Commenter Boredtaxidriver62 suggests: "How about a 2 lane each way relief road for HGV's and Coaches only? Charge them a fiver a pop to use it, until it's paid for?

Goods and people move quicker, and in my opinion, frees up the Brynglas tunnels."

Devoscandal points out: "Throughout Europe and elsewhere there are many toll highways that would appear to work daily on a seamless basis via toll booths and subscription passes (as was with the original Severn bridge Tolls). Yet with only a couple of exceptions there are no toll routes in the UK yet traffic has increased year on year."

24th thinks: "This has always been a Welsh or Plaid issue. Once the Brynglas Tunnels upgrade was finished, the solution should have been to increase the speed limit and introduce a dedicated lane much earlier for traffic exiting before the tunnels.

Then, as is done in parts of Europe, traffic could pass through the tunnels at normal motorway speeds rather than slowing down to varying limits on the approach."

Devoscandal replies: "If there was a genuine will to pursue this important route improvement then there would be a way. Meantime they are willing to see the economy go down the pan by doing nothing."

StevenBoyd says: "We have sunk so far back in infrastructure terms (among others) under Labour that now, one quarter of the motorway network that exists here, is limited to 50 mph. How is it that, the WAG spent 15 years debating this project, eventually agreed with a public inquiry that cost over ?40 million, so that Labour could put it into its 2016 manifesto as a commitment, only for Drakeford to cancel it?

It's not difficult to see why economic development of the scale around Bristol stops at the PoW bridge."

Robert D writes: "The quickest and most cost effective option would be upgrading the SDR and building new junctions at the roundabouts to keep traffic flowing. That would leave only the Coldra and Tredegar [8] Park roundabouts as potential bottlenecks, but I am sure a skilled engineer could find solutions for those as well."

Peter G replies: "Guess what? You can't build your way out of congestion.

It just comes back to haunt you. The Welsh Government has invested in the South Wales Metro, a sustainable alternative to more lanes of congestion. Let's get the Metro completed in its entirety."

David B agrees: "Building more roads to deal with congestion is like buying a bigger-sized belt to deal with obesity."

Darren C thinks: "They should just build a road and rail barrage across the Severn and cover many issues in one go."

David B agrees: "So short sighted.

It needs to be further south, with a tidal barrage that could reliably generate around 30% of Wales' energy needs. Unlike wind or solar, it would not depend on weather [9] conditions. The higher construction cost could be recovered through energy profits, and a bridge style flyover would have limited impact on wildlife.

It could also include a wildlife centre, visitor attraction, EV charging, caf? and local produce market to celebrate and support the surrounding wetlands."

Is there ever going to be a solution to the M4 Brynglas tunnels problem, or are we just going to keep going round in circles with cost, environmental concerns and political disagreement?

What do you think should happen next? Have your say in our comments section.[10]

References

^ how to tackle congestion (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Labour (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Liberal Democrats (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Plaid Cymru (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ with party leaders ahead of the Senedd election on May 7. (www.facebook.com)
^ Welsh Government (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Newport (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Tredegar (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ weather (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Have your say in our comments section. (www.walesonline.co.uk)