Most road projects in Wales axed

The Welsh government has cancelled most remaining major road projects in the principality and is to focus transport investment on reducing carbon emissions and supporting walking and cycling.

Commitment to improving road infrastructure in Wales has been in doubt since the cancellation of the promised M4 Newport Relief Road in 2019 after at least £44 million had been spent on planning and development, including a public inquiry which found that the case for building the road was “compelling”.

The latest decision follows a year-long review by an appointed Welsh Roads Review Panel, during which 55 road projects were paused.

Only 15 of these projects have survived the review. Major casualties include a projected third Menai Bridge, the A483 around Wrexham, and the Red Route in Flintshire.

Smaller projects that will still proceed include the A4042 corridor from Pontypool, the M4 through Torfaen, the A487 between Fishguard and Cardigan, and the A4076 at Haverfordwest.

In addition, new road proposals will face stringent conditions to ensure they will not increase carbon emissions, car numbers or road speeds. nor negatively impact the environment.

Wales’ deputy minister for climate change, Lee Waters, told BBC Radio 4: “We want to prioritise freight and we want to look at modal shift programmes like bus lanes, like park and ride, like active travel routes, like travel planning.”

The news did not impress Welsh hauliers. Geraint Davies, RHA board director and COO of John Raymond Transport and Nolan Transport GB, said: “This is a body blow for supply chain businesses who need a modern, functioning road network to keep people and goods moving efficiently.

“Roads are the only option for many businesses and communities in Wales. Bottlenecks on key routes makes transport costlier than it needs to be. Ministers must recognise these realities and commit to road improvements like an M4 Relief Road we desperately need.”