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Newport M4 traffic eased 'for almost a third the cost' | Newport M4 traffic eased 'for almost a third the cost' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Congestion on the M4 around Newport could be eased for almost a third of the cost of the Welsh government's motorway proposals, a think tank says. | Congestion on the M4 around Newport could be eased for almost a third of the cost of the Welsh government's motorway proposals, a think tank says. |
Consultation has been taking place on plans for a £1bn relief road to be financed under new borrowing powers. | |
The Institute for Welsh Affairs (IWA) says upgrading the A48 and a road through the city's former steelworks is an "affordable" £380m alternative. | The Institute for Welsh Affairs (IWA) says upgrading the A48 and a road through the city's former steelworks is an "affordable" £380m alternative. |
Ministers have said other options do not offer "a long-term solution". | Ministers have said other options do not offer "a long-term solution". |
Meanwhile, two eco-charities have called the relief road consultation which ends this month "unlawful" as it does not offer more options to consider. | Meanwhile, two eco-charities have called the relief road consultation which ends this month "unlawful" as it does not offer more options to consider. |
Gwent Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Earth Cymru say they will consider a legal challenge if other proposals - in particular the one outlined by the IWA - are not included. | Gwent Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Earth Cymru say they will consider a legal challenge if other proposals - in particular the one outlined by the IWA - are not included. |
The IWA is billing its proposals, called the Blue Route, as a "cost effective" solution to the problems affecting south Wales' main traffic network. | The IWA is billing its proposals, called the Blue Route, as a "cost effective" solution to the problems affecting south Wales' main traffic network. |
Ministers have said that cutting motorway congestion in the Newport area is essential for the Welsh economy. | Ministers have said that cutting motorway congestion in the Newport area is essential for the Welsh economy. |
In April this year, Chancellor George Osborne confirmed his backing for an M4 relief road, describing it as one of the most important road schemes in the UK. | In April this year, Chancellor George Osborne confirmed his backing for an M4 relief road, describing it as one of the most important road schemes in the UK. |
'Over-estimated' demand | 'Over-estimated' demand |
UK ministers announced in November that the Welsh government could borrow the estimated £1bn needed to fund the project. | UK ministers announced in November that the Welsh government could borrow the estimated £1bn needed to fund the project. |
But Prof Stuart Cole, who wrote the report for the IWA and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, says the Welsh government is over-estimating likely traffic demands. | But Prof Stuart Cole, who wrote the report for the IWA and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, says the Welsh government is over-estimating likely traffic demands. |
He said ministers are also not taking account of public transport advances such as the electrification of the Wales-London rail line and a possible metro-style train system for Cardiff and surrounding areas. | He said ministers are also not taking account of public transport advances such as the electrification of the Wales-London rail line and a possible metro-style train system for Cardiff and surrounding areas. |
"The issue is whether the Welsh government's present motorway option provides an unnecessary increase in capacity and in consequence unnecessary expenditure," said Prof Cole. | "The issue is whether the Welsh government's present motorway option provides an unnecessary increase in capacity and in consequence unnecessary expenditure," said Prof Cole. |
"The Blue Route would deliver what is needed at a much lower cost and with significantly less impact on the environment." | "The Blue Route would deliver what is needed at a much lower cost and with significantly less impact on the environment." |
The report quotes the Welsh government's consultation paper as seeing a need for 20% more traffic capacity by 2035 on the motorway around Newport. | The report quotes the Welsh government's consultation paper as seeing a need for 20% more traffic capacity by 2035 on the motorway around Newport. |
'Sustainable development' | |
Prof Cole said: "Electrification of the South Wales mainline alone would reduce M4 peak traffic flows by up to 15%. | Prof Cole said: "Electrification of the South Wales mainline alone would reduce M4 peak traffic flows by up to 15%. |
"The Blue Route would solve the congestion issue on the M4 as it arises. Moreover, since it could be built sooner than the motorway it could ease congestion earlier. | "The Blue Route would solve the congestion issue on the M4 as it arises. Moreover, since it could be built sooner than the motorway it could ease congestion earlier. |
"Combined with the metro and rail electrification it would provide more than adequate relief to congestion over the period to 2035." | "Combined with the metro and rail electrification it would provide more than adequate relief to congestion over the period to 2035." |
IWA director Lee Waters said: "The Welsh government has repeatedly said that sustainable development is 'the central organising principle' of its economic policy. | IWA director Lee Waters said: "The Welsh government has repeatedly said that sustainable development is 'the central organising principle' of its economic policy. |
"The decision it makes on a new M4 will be the test of that. | "The decision it makes on a new M4 will be the test of that. |
"If the Welsh government means what it says about sustainable development it must take the proposal seriously." | "If the Welsh government means what it says about sustainable development it must take the proposal seriously." |
After the challenge lodged by Gwent Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Earth Cymru, a Welsh government spokesperson said: "We are currently consulting on options to improve the M4 around Newport. The closing date for responses is 16 December. | After the challenge lodged by Gwent Wildlife Trust and Friends of the Earth Cymru, a Welsh government spokesperson said: "We are currently consulting on options to improve the M4 around Newport. The closing date for responses is 16 December. |
"Other options had been previously considered but were not taken forward in this consultation as they would produce very little relief to motorway congestion and not provide a long-term solution." | "Other options had been previously considered but were not taken forward in this consultation as they would produce very little relief to motorway congestion and not provide a long-term solution." |
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