海角视频

First Minister Mark Drakeford insists there is no way back for an M4 Relief Road in South Wales, regardless of any financial support offered by Boris Johnson鈥檚 new 海角视频 Government.

The First Minister cited the financial cost and environmental impact as the reasons for not proceeding with the 拢1.4bn project back in June, despite being recommended to do so in a report, following a public inquiry, from planning inspector Bill Wadrup.

The amount spent by the Welsh Government on the proposed project, up until its rejection, including the cost of the public inquiry, was more than 拢100m.

Speaking to ITV Wales, Mr Drakeford was asked if an M4 Relief Road south of Newport to alleviate congestion issues on the existing and ageing motorway, particularly around the Brynglas Tunnels, could be revisited.

He said: 鈥淣ot while I鈥檓 First Minister because I鈥檝e made my decision and it is an entirely devolved decision. The Prime Minister has no say in the M4 Relief Road whatsoever. It is not the way the system works.鈥�

If forced upon the Welsh Government he said: 鈥淭hen you鈥檙e talking about very big changes indeed and a Prime Minister that would launch an assault on devolution... the way devolution works is the money comes to the Welsh Government and it is then for the National Assembly of Wales to decide how the money is spent, not for a Prime Minister in London.鈥�

The Welsh Conservative Party鈥檚 General Election manifesto talked of ensuring that an M4 Relief Road is built, without given any details on how, including any legislative route seeking to over ride a decision taken under the current devolved settlement.

New Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said that the 海角视频 Government would not bypass Mr Drakeford in a making a decision on the any relief road, but would 鈥渢ry and find ways to make it possible.鈥�

Mr Hart said: 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a soul who use that road who doesn鈥檛 believe that there isn鈥檛 a problem.

鈥淲e will play our part in trying to resolve it, I hope Mark Drakeford will do the same.

鈥淚f the 海角视频 Government provide infrastructure funding, for example, or creates a project which improves people鈥檚 lives then I think it鈥檚 difficult for Welsh Government to say, 鈥榥ot only do we disagree with 海角视频 Government but we disagree with Welsh businesses and Welsh voters.鈥� I think that鈥檚 a hard position for them to be in.鈥�

In the wake of Mr Drakfeford鈥檚 decision not to proceed with the project, Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates established the South East Wales Transport Commission, which is tasked聽 with coming up with alternative solutions to congestion on the existing motorway.

In an interim report earlier this week the commission, chaired by Lord Terry Burns, recommended the introduction of a 50mph speed limit, enforced by average speed cameras, between junction 24 (Coldra) and junction 28 (Tredegar Park).

The commission is expected to make further long-term recommendations aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in another report at the end of 2020, which is likely to include improving public transport systems between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.

CBI Wale Wales director Ian Price said: 鈥淭he report by the commission will disappoint businesses and commuters alike.

鈥淭he Brynglas bottleneck is a daily headache for thousands of people and the Commission鈥檚 recommendations will do very little to help anyone. The M4 motorway keeps the economy of South Wales alive. The more congested the road becomes, the more challenging we make it for our local businesses and residents.

鈥淏usiness keenly awaits the second part of the commission鈥檚 work. South Wales deserves a road fit for the future.

鈥淭he government must do more than just solve congestion, it must give the region room to grow. A 21st century motorway would give firms the confidence to invest and expand, providing more opportunities for the next generation.鈥�

Unlike CBI Wales, FSB Wales was opposed to the Black Route M4 Relief Road option.

Instead it was supportive of the so-called Blue Route through an expansion of the existing network or roads through Newport itself. The inspector鈥檚 report said the only viable option to addressing traffic issues was the Black
Route option.

FSB Wales policy chair Ben Francis said: 鈥淧roblems surrounding congestion in and around Newport have persisted for some time.

鈥淭his can pose significant issues for businesses that rely on the M4 in South East Wales for trade, for commuting purposes or for other business travel. It is, therefore, crucial that improvements are made on this vital infrastructure corridor.

鈥淲e welcome the work that has been undertaken by the South East Wales Transport Commission, and the impressive pace at which they have undertaken this analysis. We also look forward to further work from the Commission in the spring.

鈥淲e will watch with interest as these short-term recommendations play out. As the commission鈥檚 report recognises, road-based solutions are not the only answer to transport issues in south Wales; encouraging more road users and commuters to use public transport 鈥� and, therefore, providing reliable, good-quality public transport through the South Wales Metro and other options 鈥� will be as important for the overall transport issues in South Wales.

鈥淲e must be prepared to learn lessons from this process so far.

鈥淲ales鈥� businesses cannot afford to have a decision-making process that is so politicised, drawn-out and uncertain in future.

鈥淭hat is why we are calling for the decision making process around infrastructure to have an independent and trusted evidence base, and be driven by arms-length bodies such as the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales.鈥�

Ed Evans, director of Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Wales, has called for investment in the energy sector.

He said: 鈥淲e want to see non-devolved projects in the energy sector, such as Wylfa Newydd and tidal energy, given a new boost to secure low carbon energy sources. We want to see Wales receive a fair dividend from the 海角视频 Government鈥檚 investment in HS2 so that we can invest properly in our own rail services.

鈥淎nd we want to see clarity on the 海角视频 Government鈥檚 proposed shared Prosperity Fund, which is intended to replace EU Funds, so that Wales doesn鈥檛 lose a single penny.

鈥淭his will allow us to invest in new transport schemes, extend broadband connectivity, upgrade the grid system to support local renewable energy generation and deliver the infrastructure our nation needs.鈥�