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M4 relief road: Chancellor 'to approve toll plan' M4 relief road: Chancellor 'to approve toll plan'
(35 minutes later)
An M4 relief road in south Wales could get the backing of the Treasury as a toll road, according to press reports.An M4 relief road in south Wales could get the backing of the Treasury as a toll road, according to press reports.
Both The Times and Independent report that the Chancellor will announce plans to support a new toll motorway in June's comprehensive spending review.Both The Times and Independent report that the Chancellor will announce plans to support a new toll motorway in June's comprehensive spending review.
The Welsh government announced plans for an M4 relief road around Newport in 2004 but they were dropped in 2009.The Welsh government announced plans for an M4 relief road around Newport in 2004 but they were dropped in 2009.
If approved, it would be the UK's second toll motorway after the 27 mile (43km) M6 Toll which opened in 2003.If approved, it would be the UK's second toll motorway after the 27 mile (43km) M6 Toll which opened in 2003.
Talks are continuing between the UK and Welsh governments about ways to fund improvements to the M4 in south Wales.Talks are continuing between the UK and Welsh governments about ways to fund improvements to the M4 in south Wales.
Neither has commented directly on the latest press reports, but the Welsh government pointed to a statement last month that it was "following due process" on the issue of easing the congestion on the M4 around Newport.Neither has commented directly on the latest press reports, but the Welsh government pointed to a statement last month that it was "following due process" on the issue of easing the congestion on the M4 around Newport.
CrashesCrashes
Both newspapers report that funding for a relief motorway will be guaranteed by the Treasury to allow Welsh government to build the road and then to repay the loan at least in part by raising tolls. Both newspapers report that funding for a relief motorway will be guaranteed by the Treasury to allow the Welsh government to build the road and then to repay the loan at least in part by raising tolls.
Employers' group the CBI has called a relief road to ease congestion on the M4 near Newport a "clear priority".Employers' group the CBI has called a relief road to ease congestion on the M4 near Newport a "clear priority".
Business leaders say traffic jams, particularly after crashes which close the motorway, are bad for the economy of south Wales.Business leaders say traffic jams, particularly after crashes which close the motorway, are bad for the economy of south Wales.
Plans for a 14-mile road to ease congestion on the M4 around Newport, between junctions 23 and 29, were announced in 2004.Plans for a 14-mile road to ease congestion on the M4 around Newport, between junctions 23 and 29, were announced in 2004.
The estimated the cost of the scheme at least £350m and raised the possibility then that the new motorway - which would have opened in 2013 - would be tolled. The scheme was estimated to cost at least £350m and was due to open in 2013, with the possibility that it would be partly financed by tolls.
When the scheme was scrapped in 2009, its likely cost had risen to £1bn.When the scheme was scrapped in 2009, its likely cost had risen to £1bn.
Environment concerns
Ieuan Wyn Jones, then deputy first minister and transport minister, said at the time that putting tolls on the "unaffordable" proposed new road would have reduced its economic effectiveness.Ieuan Wyn Jones, then deputy first minister and transport minister, said at the time that putting tolls on the "unaffordable" proposed new road would have reduced its economic effectiveness.
Journalist Mickey Clarke of the Financial Times told Radio Wales: "It's worth pointing out though that the M6 Toll in the Midlands - a similar project there - hasn't ever made any money. People won't pay it. That's the trouble."
Proposals for an M4 relief road have also faced criticism by environment campaigners.
Gwent Wildlife Trust claimed in 2007 that if the proposed motorway went ahead it would cause damage to the Gwent Levels Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
In February 2012 the Welsh government announced plans to turn an old access road through Llanwern steelworks into a £13m dual carriageway to link south Newport with the M4, claiming it would help relieve congestion.