Plans for third Menai crossing and M4 Newport study unveiled
Welsh Government reveals transport measures including Menai crossing and M4 study
The Welsh Government has unveiled plans for a third Menai crossing and an 18-month study into roads-based solutions for the M4 around Newport.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper announced the programme of transport measures at the Senedd today.
For the Menai crossings, the Government will restart development work for the third crossing, including design and environmental assessment.
Measures will also focus on maintaining existing crossings and resilience improvements to Britannia Bridge.
A review ruled out three-lane tidal-flow operation on Britannia Bridge due to safety concerns.
For the M4 around Newport, a study will explore roads-based solutions.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper said: "People want action, not endless discussion. They want reliable journeys, less disruption and confidence that Government is getting on with improving things and making a difference to people’s lives.
"And that’s exactly what we’re doing."
Additional short-term measures include road maintenance, targeted improvements, and public transport enhancements.
Reform Wales Leader Helen Jenner criticised the Government’s approach, advocating for an M4 relief road. She said: “Plaid's answer to the M4 congestion problem appears to be moving the traffic around and closing junctions rather than solving the problem.
“Wales needs a serious, long-term solution to the chronic congestion around Newport, not another collection of measures that tinker around the edges of the problem. "
Natasha Asghar MS expressed concerns over junction closures and their potential impact on local traffic. She said: “Closing important and well-used motorway junctions will simply move congestion around and clog up A roads and other city streets rather than creating additional road capacity."