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| M4 relief road: Newport motorway plans scrapped | M4 relief road: Newport motorway plans scrapped |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The Welsh Government will not build the £1.4bn M4 relief road, First Minister Mark Drakeford has decided. | The Welsh Government will not build the £1.4bn M4 relief road, First Minister Mark Drakeford has decided. |
| He axed the scheme because of its cost and impact on the environment. | He axed the scheme because of its cost and impact on the environment. |
| The plans would have seen a 14-mile motorway built as a gateway into south Wales in a bid to tackle the congestion faced by motorists around Newport. | The plans would have seen a 14-mile motorway built as a gateway into south Wales in a bid to tackle the congestion faced by motorists around Newport. |
| Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said it was a "dark day" but Friends of the Earth said it was "great news for Wales and the planet". | Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said it was a "dark day" but Friends of the Earth said it was "great news for Wales and the planet". |
| Mr Drakeford's decision to scrap the six-lane scheme follows a public inquiry overseen by planning inspector Bill Wadrup, who said the case for the road had been "compelling". | Mr Drakeford's decision to scrap the six-lane scheme follows a public inquiry overseen by planning inspector Bill Wadrup, who said the case for the road had been "compelling". |
| Mr Cairns added: "It appears that the first minister thinks he knows better than the independent inquiry." | Mr Cairns added: "It appears that the first minister thinks he knows better than the independent inquiry." |
| Instead, the first minister announced a commission to look at alternative solutions to the problem of congestion on the M4 in Newport. | |
| It is the third time Welsh ministers have shelved plans for the M4 relief road. It had been supported by Mr Drakeford's predecessor Carwyn Jones and breaks a Welsh Labour manifesto pledge from 2016. | It is the third time Welsh ministers have shelved plans for the M4 relief road. It had been supported by Mr Drakeford's predecessor Carwyn Jones and breaks a Welsh Labour manifesto pledge from 2016. |
| At least £44m was spent on a public inquiry and other development costs. | At least £44m was spent on a public inquiry and other development costs. |
| The decision - point-by-point | The decision - point-by-point |
| Planning inspector Mr Wadrup, who died after the end of the inquiry last year, concluded there was a "compelling case for the scheme to be implemented in order [to] relieve an acute problem on the strategic motorway network". | Planning inspector Mr Wadrup, who died after the end of the inquiry last year, concluded there was a "compelling case for the scheme to be implemented in order [to] relieve an acute problem on the strategic motorway network". |
| "It is accordingly my view that the scheme is in the public interest," he said. "The scheme would not, to my mind, have any disproportionate adverse impacts." | "It is accordingly my view that the scheme is in the public interest," he said. "The scheme would not, to my mind, have any disproportionate adverse impacts." |
| 'No easy answers' | |
| Mark Drakeford told AMs he would set up a new "expert commission" to look at alternative solutions to solving traffic problems on the M4 around Newport. | |
| It will be guided by ministers aim for a "high quality" integrated and low-carbon transport system, he said. | |
| The Welsh Government will also implement "a series of fast-tracked, targeted interventions to alleviate congestion on the M4 in South Wales". | |
| They include "actions to expedite recovery of vehicles, enhanced Traffic Officer patrol, live journey time information to inform better transport choices, and a behavioural campaign to reduce incidents and maximise use of existing lane capacity", the first minister said. | |
| The first minister, referring to both austerity and Brexit, argued that the decision was "being made at a point of maximum uncertainty about our financial future". | |
| But he said the scheme would have had a "substantial adverse impact on the Gwent Levels" sites of special scientific interest and their wildlife and "a permanent adverse impact on the historic landscape of the Gwent Levels". | |
| Ian Price, director of business lobby group CBI Wales, said: "After decades of deliberation and over £40m spent, no problem has been solved today. | Ian Price, director of business lobby group CBI Wales, said: "After decades of deliberation and over £40m spent, no problem has been solved today. |
| "Congestion and road pollution around Newport can only increase. Economic growth will be stifled, confidence in the region will weaken and the cost of an eventual relief road will rise." | "Congestion and road pollution around Newport can only increase. Economic growth will be stifled, confidence in the region will weaken and the cost of an eventual relief road will rise." |
| But Friends of the Earth Cymru director Haf Elgar said: "This is a great news for Wales and the planet. | But Friends of the Earth Cymru director Haf Elgar said: "This is a great news for Wales and the planet. |
| "As well as costing Welsh taxpayers over £2 billion pounds, this devastating road would have ploughed through the unique, wildlife-rich Gwent Levels, pumped more climate-wrecking emissions into our atmosphere, and ultimately caused even more congestion and air pollution." | "As well as costing Welsh taxpayers over £2 billion pounds, this devastating road would have ploughed through the unique, wildlife-rich Gwent Levels, pumped more climate-wrecking emissions into our atmosphere, and ultimately caused even more congestion and air pollution." |
| Small business group FSB Wales said it understood the decision would cause "real dismay" within the business community, but it had long-expressed concern about the black route. | Small business group FSB Wales said it understood the decision would cause "real dismay" within the business community, but it had long-expressed concern about the black route. |
| Instead, it favours the blue route, which would see an upgrade of the A48 in Newport, with new flyovers to improve the flow of traffic. | Instead, it favours the blue route, which would see an upgrade of the A48 in Newport, with new flyovers to improve the flow of traffic. |
| "Welsh Government must move immediately to engage with business to give an assurance that it has some sort of plan B option and/or re-visit the blue route," a spokesman said. | "Welsh Government must move immediately to engage with business to give an assurance that it has some sort of plan B option and/or re-visit the blue route," a spokesman said. |
| The commuter's view | The commuter's view |
| Karis Jones is an associate solicitor who commutes to Cardiff and Newport from Monmouth every day. | Karis Jones is an associate solicitor who commutes to Cardiff and Newport from Monmouth every day. |
| She said the rejection of the M4 relief road was "disappointing" and "frustrating". | She said the rejection of the M4 relief road was "disappointing" and "frustrating". |
| "I would even have to consider potentially either moving to Cardiff, or potentially looking to move the other side, Bristol way, actually moving outside of Wales," she said. | "I would even have to consider potentially either moving to Cardiff, or potentially looking to move the other side, Bristol way, actually moving outside of Wales," she said. |
| Paul and Mandy Jones own Tonew Kennels in Redwick, south east of Newport, which is home to up to 100 dogs, including strays and abandoned pets. | Paul and Mandy Jones own Tonew Kennels in Redwick, south east of Newport, which is home to up to 100 dogs, including strays and abandoned pets. |
| The business lies almost directly in the path of what would have been the relief road route, and the couple were worried they would be forced out by a compulsory purchase order. | The business lies almost directly in the path of what would have been the relief road route, and the couple were worried they would be forced out by a compulsory purchase order. |
| Mr Jones said: "We won't have to move anywhere. We can carry on with life as it is. We can carry on with the kennels. I've got grandchildren, which obviously when I'm not here, they will take over from me." | Mr Jones said: "We won't have to move anywhere. We can carry on with life as it is. We can carry on with the kennels. I've got grandchildren, which obviously when I'm not here, they will take over from me." |
| Opposition AMs were scathing. Russell George, Welsh Conservative AM, said the announcement was a "kick in the teeth for Welsh commuters". | Opposition AMs were scathing. Russell George, Welsh Conservative AM, said the announcement was a "kick in the teeth for Welsh commuters". |
| Plaid Cymru which had long opposed the scheme, said it showed the party was "right all along" but leader Adam Price accused the Welsh Government of "eight years of dithering". | Plaid Cymru which had long opposed the scheme, said it showed the party was "right all along" but leader Adam Price accused the Welsh Government of "eight years of dithering". |
| "His decision means fewer growing businesses, fewer jobs, lower wages and less prosperity," Brexit Party group leader Mark Reckless added. | "His decision means fewer growing businesses, fewer jobs, lower wages and less prosperity," Brexit Party group leader Mark Reckless added. |
| Jayne Bryant, Newport West Labour backbench AM, said she was "deeply disappointed that an M4 relief road is not going ahead". | Jayne Bryant, Newport West Labour backbench AM, said she was "deeply disappointed that an M4 relief road is not going ahead". |
| "I am adamant that the money set aside for a relief road must be spent on resolving this problem around Newport," she said. | "I am adamant that the money set aside for a relief road must be spent on resolving this problem around Newport," she said. |
| But Labour AMs had been divided on the issue. Pontypridd's Mick Antoniw welcomed the move and said the "financial and environmental consequences make the proposal completely unsustainable. | But Labour AMs had been divided on the issue. Pontypridd's Mick Antoniw welcomed the move and said the "financial and environmental consequences make the proposal completely unsustainable. |
| What was the M4 relief road project? | What was the M4 relief road project? |
| 'An expensive U-turn' | 'An expensive U-turn' |
| By Felicity Evans, BBC Wales political editor | By Felicity Evans, BBC Wales political editor |
| The letter explaining the reasons for Mark Drakeford's decision rejects the £1.4bn proposals on grounds of cost. | The letter explaining the reasons for Mark Drakeford's decision rejects the £1.4bn proposals on grounds of cost. |
| Mr Drakeford notes that the allocation of Welsh Government funds is beyond the scope of the public inquiry - which begs the question: why did the Welsh Government commission a public inquiry that cost tens of millions of pounds, when the Cabinet made the decision based on factors the inquiry could never consider? | Mr Drakeford notes that the allocation of Welsh Government funds is beyond the scope of the public inquiry - which begs the question: why did the Welsh Government commission a public inquiry that cost tens of millions of pounds, when the Cabinet made the decision based on factors the inquiry could never consider? |
| The answer to that is the change of leadership at the top of the Welsh Labour. | The answer to that is the change of leadership at the top of the Welsh Labour. |
| Mark Drakeford was always cooler on the M4 relief road proposals than his predecessor, Carwyn Jones. | Mark Drakeford was always cooler on the M4 relief road proposals than his predecessor, Carwyn Jones. |
| Nevertheless today's decision marks an expensive U-turn on his party's 2016 manifesto commitment. | Nevertheless today's decision marks an expensive U-turn on his party's 2016 manifesto commitment. |
| For emphasis Mr Drakeford goes on to say that even if cost had not been an issue, he wouldn't have gone ahead because of the environmental impact. | For emphasis Mr Drakeford goes on to say that even if cost had not been an issue, he wouldn't have gone ahead because of the environmental impact. |
| The Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe had been a prominent opponent of the project. She said: "All progress begins with a brave decision", saying it was "the right one for people and planet". | The Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe had been a prominent opponent of the project. She said: "All progress begins with a brave decision", saying it was "the right one for people and planet". |
| "Hope this marks a shift in policy for Wales and the Welsh Government now quickly bring forward investment in public transport," she adds. | "Hope this marks a shift in policy for Wales and the Welsh Government now quickly bring forward investment in public transport," she adds. |
| The Welsh Government declared a "climate emergency" in April. James Byrne, Living Landscapes Manager for Wildlife Trusts Wales said: "We're delighted" | The Welsh Government declared a "climate emergency" in April. James Byrne, Living Landscapes Manager for Wildlife Trusts Wales said: "We're delighted" |
| "This is exactly the sort of leadership we need in a world where we've declared a climate emergency," he said. | "This is exactly the sort of leadership we need in a world where we've declared a climate emergency," he said. |
| 'A huge win for environmentalists' | 'A huge win for environmentalists' |
| By Steffan Messenger, BBC Wales environment correspondent | By Steffan Messenger, BBC Wales environment correspondent |
| Today's announcement by the first minister is a huge win for environmentalists and others who have long campaigned to protect the Gwent Levels. | Today's announcement by the first minister is a huge win for environmentalists and others who have long campaigned to protect the Gwent Levels. |
| It is striking that Mark Drakeford says he attaches "very significant weight" to the environmental concerns and would have rejected the plans even if the costs of building the new motorway were lower. | It is striking that Mark Drakeford says he attaches "very significant weight" to the environmental concerns and would have rejected the plans even if the costs of building the new motorway were lower. |
| It may not be the most famous of Wales' beauty spots, but the wetlands south of Newport have been compared by campaigners to the Amazon rainforest in terms of biodiversity. | It may not be the most famous of Wales' beauty spots, but the wetlands south of Newport have been compared by campaigners to the Amazon rainforest in terms of biodiversity. |
| Rare birds, plants and insects have found a home here - especially in the unique drainage ditches known as reens - dug during Roman times. | Rare birds, plants and insects have found a home here - especially in the unique drainage ditches known as reens - dug during Roman times. |
| The first minister said the "substantial adverse impact" the plans would have had on nature could not be justified, contrary - we now know - to the conclusions of the public inquiry. | The first minister said the "substantial adverse impact" the plans would have had on nature could not be justified, contrary - we now know - to the conclusions of the public inquiry. |
| It may be a coincidence - but his decision also comes during Wales Nature Week and a day before the Welsh Government is set to mark World Environment Day at the Senedd. | It may be a coincidence - but his decision also comes during Wales Nature Week and a day before the Welsh Government is set to mark World Environment Day at the Senedd. |