This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-26634131
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| M4 Port Talbot junction to close in traffic congestion trial | M4 Port Talbot junction to close in traffic congestion trial |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A junction of the M4 motorway in south Wales will be closed as part of a trial to ease congestion. | A junction of the M4 motorway in south Wales will be closed as part of a trial to ease congestion. |
| The closure of junction 41 at Port Talbot starts this summer and aims to boost traffic flow in both directions. | The closure of junction 41 at Port Talbot starts this summer and aims to boost traffic flow in both directions. |
| Economy and Transport Minister Edwina Hart said studies predicted it would increase the capacity of the M4 by 11% westbound and 2% eastbound. | Economy and Transport Minister Edwina Hart said studies predicted it would increase the capacity of the M4 by 11% westbound and 2% eastbound. |
| She also claimed estimated economic benefits of over £1m per year due to fewer accidents and delays. | She also claimed estimated economic benefits of over £1m per year due to fewer accidents and delays. |
| Managers at Aberafan shopping centre in Port Talbot have previously said they were against the idea of closing junctions because it would lead to customers heading elsewhere. | Managers at Aberafan shopping centre in Port Talbot have previously said they were against the idea of closing junctions because it would lead to customers heading elsewhere. |
| The Welsh government has been carrying out a study into traffic flows around the Port Talbot area. | The Welsh government has been carrying out a study into traffic flows around the Port Talbot area. |
| In a statement to assembly members, Mrs Hart said: "As part of this study I have agreed to the trial closure of the westbound on-slip and eastbound off-slip roads at junction 41 under an experimental order with the aim of improving traffic flows on the M4 motorway through the Port Talbot area." | In a statement to assembly members, Mrs Hart said: "As part of this study I have agreed to the trial closure of the westbound on-slip and eastbound off-slip roads at junction 41 under an experimental order with the aim of improving traffic flows on the M4 motorway through the Port Talbot area." |
| She said it would allow "monitoring and assessment of the benefits and provide real data to inform the decision on the way forward". | She said it would allow "monitoring and assessment of the benefits and provide real data to inform the decision on the way forward". |
| The public would be invited to comment, she added. | The public would be invited to comment, she added. |
| "Mitigation" measures will be introduced to junctions along the nearby A48 trunk road and other roads in the area before the trial. | "Mitigation" measures will be introduced to junctions along the nearby A48 trunk road and other roads in the area before the trial. |
| Mrs Hart said funding of £521,000 had been offered to Neath Port Talbot council to cover the cost of "local highway mitigation measures" but it had not yet been formally accepted. | Mrs Hart said funding of £521,000 had been offered to Neath Port Talbot council to cover the cost of "local highway mitigation measures" but it had not yet been formally accepted. |
| The idea of closing motorway junctions near Port Talbot to improve traffic flow was raised by the Welsh government in June 2012. | The idea of closing motorway junctions near Port Talbot to improve traffic flow was raised by the Welsh government in June 2012. |
| Aberavon Labour MP Hywel Francis said: "The closure of junction 41 is a very worrying development because it will become more difficult to gain access to the shopping centre, railway and bus station. | Aberavon Labour MP Hywel Francis said: "The closure of junction 41 is a very worrying development because it will become more difficult to gain access to the shopping centre, railway and bus station. |
| "If this becomes permanent, it will do long term harm to the prosperity of the town." |