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| M4 junction 41 to reopen but future remains in doubt | M4 junction 41 to reopen but future remains in doubt |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A slip road on the M4 at Port Talbot is to fully reopen after a trial closure but its future remains in doubt. | A slip road on the M4 at Port Talbot is to fully reopen after a trial closure but its future remains in doubt. |
| Access to the westbound carriageway at junction 41 has been blocked during morning and evening rush hours since August in a bid to ease congestion. | Access to the westbound carriageway at junction 41 has been blocked during morning and evening rush hours since August in a bid to ease congestion. |
| It was claimed that economic benefits of more than £1m a year could result from fewer accidents and delays. | It was claimed that economic benefits of more than £1m a year could result from fewer accidents and delays. |
| Transport Minister Edwina Hart said the trial closure will end and a full consultation on closures could happen. | Transport Minister Edwina Hart said the trial closure will end and a full consultation on closures could happen. |
| In a letter to assembly members, Mrs Hart said: "The trial has demonstrated a benefit to the M4 without overall dis-benefit to the local road network. | In a letter to assembly members, Mrs Hart said: "The trial has demonstrated a benefit to the M4 without overall dis-benefit to the local road network. |
| "The report also states car parking, footfall, queue lengths and air quality did not show any significant impact attributable to the trial closure." | "The report also states car parking, footfall, queue lengths and air quality did not show any significant impact attributable to the trial closure." |
| Peter Black, Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, welcomed the decision. | Peter Black, Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, welcomed the decision. |
| He said: "Reading between the lines, I believe that the minister's statement has effectively kicked permanent closure of junction 41 into the long grass." | He said: "Reading between the lines, I believe that the minister's statement has effectively kicked permanent closure of junction 41 into the long grass." |
| Local traders have complained that the trial which began last August has hit their business. | Local traders have complained that the trial which began last August has hit their business. |
| The slip road had been closed to traffic from 07:00-09:00 and 16:00-18:00 Monday to Friday. |