Interestingly enough the
BBC suggests that Westminster sources have confirmed that an agreement in
principle had been reached but a deal on funding was not finalised. Considering
that when the Welsh Government looked at this option it was binned on grounds
of cost. One of the reason why, when
Plaid was in government (between 2007 and 2011) that the M4 Gwent Levels relief
road was dropped was that it was unaffordable.
During the botched consultation
in the spring of 2012, the one option that made the most sense was the one that
would have involved the grade separation of some junctions and partial
or full closure of other junctions on the Newport A48 Southern Distributor Road
(SDR) which should be a real alternative route to the M4. Price wise that would
have come in at around £300m, this would be more affordable that the £ 1
billion pounds plus that any Gwent Levels M4 relief road would cost.
Plaid Cymru Economy and Transport spokesperson Jonathan Edwards
MP said:
"Plaid Cymru when in government looked afresh at the needs
of the M4 and Wales-England transport corridor under Ieuan Wyn Jones. This
included the principle of tolling, which we rejected. We embarked on a
programme of improvements, including the Newport distributor road and the rail
electrification, which could alleviate congestion and meet both business and
environmental objectives. These need to be fully rolled out as an alternative
to a highly expensive, environmentally damaging brand new motorway. The proposal
that such a motorway would be tolled in Wales is the worst of all scenarios as
we need to attract business investment not put it off with a penalty charge for
coming to Wales.
“Wales has a real need for useful infrastructure spending,
linking all parts of our nation and increasing connectivity. Rather than tolls,
what's needed is a swift implementation of the Silk recommendations and a
Barnett floor so we can borrow effectively and efficiently to invest.
“But does anyone seriously think that charging motorists to
cross the Severn Bridge and then charging them again to use the motorway a few
miles later is going to make south Wales more economically competitive?
“The only other toll road in the UK is the M6 in the Midlands
which has seen toll prices rise by 175% since it was opened but the number of
users plummet. It has also done nothing to reduce congestion. The lack of any
other toll road proposals shows what people think.
“Wales has
a greater capacity for borrowing money because we don’t have as many debts due
to PFI, but we have to make sure that this is invested in schemes which will
pay their way both in the short and longer term for the economy and
sustainability."
The Party of Wales former Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones
said:
“The reason that the M4 relief road was abandoned was not simply
the issue of affordability at £1 billion but also the fact that I was advised
that not only was the new relief road to be subjected to tolls, so was the
existing M4 to be tolled. This was due to the evidence that had been gained
during the operation of the M6 toll road which had never made any money. I came
to the conclusion that it was simply unacceptable for motorists to have to pay
tolls on the Severn bridges and on the existing M4 and new relief road. There
was already significant complaints about the tolls on the Severn bridges and
this additional burden on motorists and businesses could not possibly be
justified. That is why I accepted my officials’ advice not to proceed with the
relief road but to ease congestion around Newport by linking into the southern
distribution road as an alternative route.”
