Welsh Labour reverses stance and backs M4 relief road

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Welsh Labour has reversed its opposition to an M4 relief road around Newport, calling it necessary to tackle congestion.

Welsh Labour has reversed its long-standing opposition to an M4 relief road around Newport and now backs building one to tackle congestion on the motorway.

A motion tabled by Labour Senedd member Lynne Neagle is set for debate on Wednesday 21 October. The motion says current Welsh Government plans to ease congestion around Newport are 'inadequate' and calls on ministers to begin work on an 'appropriate relief road for the M4'. It also urges the government to rule out closing motorway junctions.

The move reverses the policy of former First Minister Mark Drakeford, who scrapped the original six-lane M4 relief road scheme in June 2019 over environmental and cost concerns. At the time of that decision, £114 million had already been spent on the project. A planning inspector who spent 13 months examining the scheme had backed it on environmental and health grounds.

Ken Skates, the current Welsh Labour leader, said a relief road was the only realistic way to tackle congestion and that decisions should be made by the regions and communities affected. He said people in south-east Wales should decide how to balance economic, environmental and community concerns.

How it is being reported

• Welsh Labour has changed its mind on one of Wales’ biggest road rowsWelsh Labour has backed a new relief road to tackle congestion on the M4 in a major policy U-turn.South Wales Argus · 15 Oct, 18:10
• Labour U-turns on M4 relief road and calls for new motorwayLabour has now called on the new Plaid administration to build an "appropriate relief road"WalesOnline · 15 Oct, 15:38

In this story: Welsh Labour · Mark Drakeford · Ken Skates · Lynne Neagle · Newport · Wales · Plaid Cymru

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