WRITTEN STATEMENT
BY
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT
TITLE
M4 Corridor around Newport Project – Public Inquiry Update
DATE
14 December 2016
BY
Ken Skates Cabinet Secretary for Economy and
Infrastructure
This Written Statement provides an update on the status of the M4 Corridor around Newport
Project.
I announced in October the need to review traffic modelling in light of new information,
including revised traffic growth data published by the Department for Transport in July. The
DfT have since announced their data will shortly again be revised. In anticipation of this my
officials have collaborated with DfT to ensure that the data informing my review is reflective
of the forthcoming further revision and my review makes use of the best and most accurate
information.
I am also very mindful of the duties of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act to think longterm and preventatively. In combination with my review of associated economic and
environmental assessments, I have also taken this opportunity to take a fresh look at
whether our latest proposals for Metro, or the much discussed ‘Blue Route’, could address
the problems.
Latest assessments indicate that future traffic levels, taking into account our latest Metro
proposals, will continue to grow but slightly slower than previously thought. Whilst this
is of course welcomed, the M4 around Newport would still be well over capacity, with severe
and worsening problems. Widening existing local roads through Newport, as some have
suggested as a ‘blue route’, would give little relief and fail to take a long-term approach to
future proofing our transport network.
My review concludes that the proposed M4 Project remains to be considered the long-term,
sustainable solution to the long-standing, and worsening, problems associated with one of
the key gateways to Wales. The Project would significantly re-structure the highway network
around Newport and, integrated with Metro, deliver our vision for an efficient, integrated
transport network for Wales.
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In the spirit of openness and transparency, full technical, economic and environmental
reporting that has informed my review is published on the Welsh Government website,
allowing everyone to consider it.
I can now confirm that the Project shall proceed to be considered by Independent
Inspectors at an Inquiry determined by the Planning Inspectorate to commence on 28
February 2017, with a pre-inquiry meeting held on 27 January.
I remain well aware of the range of views towards this Project. An Inquiry will allow these
views to be heard and taken into account. Outside of that process I am continuing to
explore all opportunities for maximising cross-cutting benefits of this major potential
investment for Wales.
On receipt of the Inspectors’ report I expect to be in a position to make a final decision on
whether to proceed with construction by the end of next year. Works could commence in
2018 and the new section of motorway open in 2021.
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