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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| M4 relief road cost transparency call by Conservatives | M4 relief road cost transparency call by Conservatives |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Support for an M4 relief road around Newport could increase if the first minister was more transparent on the cost, the Welsh Tories have said. | Support for an M4 relief road around Newport could increase if the first minister was more transparent on the cost, the Welsh Tories have said. |
| Their leader Andrew RT Davies asked Carwyn Jones to explain why he told BBC Radio Wales he thought it would cost "way below" the official £1bn estimate. | Their leader Andrew RT Davies asked Carwyn Jones to explain why he told BBC Radio Wales he thought it would cost "way below" the official £1bn estimate. |
| The first minister said he did not want to show his cards ahead of negotiations with potential contractors. | |
| A previous plan was dropped in 2009 when £1bn was judged unaffordable. | A previous plan was dropped in 2009 when £1bn was judged unaffordable. |
| However, the project was revived and, according to Welsh government website details last updated in July, is still predicted to cost around £1bn. | However, the project was revived and, according to Welsh government website details last updated in July, is still predicted to cost around £1bn. |
| Pressed on the issue during First Minister's Questions on Tuesday, Mr Jones refused to announce any new estimate. | Pressed on the issue during First Minister's Questions on Tuesday, Mr Jones refused to announce any new estimate. |
| "That is the equivalent of showing your cards in a poker game because we will have companies tendering for contracts to build the M4 if it gets to that stage, as is our plan," he said. | "That is the equivalent of showing your cards in a poker game because we will have companies tendering for contracts to build the M4 if it gets to that stage, as is our plan," he said. |
| "Revealing beforehand what your target figure is is not a wise move in the world of business." | "Revealing beforehand what your target figure is is not a wise move in the world of business." |
| Mr Davies responded, saying: "It is not unreasonable to ask for clarity around these figures and around these numbers when so much effort and civil service time is put into it. | Mr Davies responded, saying: "It is not unreasonable to ask for clarity around these figures and around these numbers when so much effort and civil service time is put into it. |
| "Ultimately you could get more support for the project if you were more transparent in the remarks that were made." | "Ultimately you could get more support for the project if you were more transparent in the remarks that were made." |
| None of the opposition parties at the assembly have supported the Welsh government's plan to build a new six lane motorway to the south of Newport. | None of the opposition parties at the assembly have supported the Welsh government's plan to build a new six lane motorway to the south of Newport. |
| The Conservatives have said there should be a review of the plan, while Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats support a proposal to upgrade the existing southern distributor road through Newport. | The Conservatives have said there should be a review of the plan, while Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats support a proposal to upgrade the existing southern distributor road through Newport. |
| Outside the chamber, Mr Davies told BBC Wales the Tories would consider supporting a new motorway if the cost is reduced. | Outside the chamber, Mr Davies told BBC Wales the Tories would consider supporting a new motorway if the cost is reduced. |
| A final decision is expected after the assembly election in May and, subject to approval and a public inquiry, the road could be completed in 2021. | A final decision is expected after the assembly election in May and, subject to approval and a public inquiry, the road could be completed in 2021. |