Approval for a planned new 24km stretch of motorway to the south of Newport could be given early next year by the Welsh Government following an independent public inquiry this autumn.

 

Wales’ Economy & Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates has announced the inquiry into the M4 corridor around Newport, which will look at the business case for the Government’s favoured ‘black route’ to ensure it represents value for money.

 

The five month inquiry will consider all environmental, social and economic factors and hear from supporters and objectors to the scheme. It will also examine all alternative routes proposed including the ‘blue route’ which would run closer to the south of Newport.

 

Ken Skates said: “This independent inquiry will set out the proposals for the M4 Corridor around Newport project in a public forum. It will allow open and transparent scrutiny and provide vital feedback to inform a final decision.”

 

The commissioning of a public inquiry comes after the Government published draft statutory orders and environmental information for the project in March. This gave stakeholders the opportunity to register their views on the project, which have since been reviewed.

 

Ken Skates told the Welsh Assembly: “There are significant issues which must be given careful consideration before I reach a decision on whether to proceed to construction.”

 

Should the Inspector recommend the scheme proceed to construction, the new section of M4 could be open by Autumn 2021.

 

“Alongside infrastructure improvements to the North, Mid and West Wales, the M4 project and the Metro are hugely important to our vision for an efficient, integrated transport system for Wales and I’m very pleased to have been able to move forward so quickly with this,” added Ken Skates.

 

(Photo: Kyle M Westwood / Arup)