The South East Wales Transport Commission has published its final recommendations on ways to reduce congestion on the M4 without the need for the 23km, dual three lane relief road scheme to the south of the city. Its main proposal is for a ‘network of alternatives’ designed to give people and businesses new transport options that do not use the motorway.

Railway upgrades to the South Wales Main Line and construction of six new stations between Cardiff and the River Severn are urged. This ‘rail backbone’, it is proposed, should be complemented by new rapid bus and cycle corridors across the region, especially within Newport itself.

“It is clear that people in south east Wales do not have good alternatives to the M4. We believe that a competitively priced, efficient and reliable public transport network could become the first choice for many travellers,” said the commission’s chairman Lord Burns.

He added that a shift to public and active transport would not only relieve congestion but also cut air pollution, improve public health and provide better access to jobs and services.

Further recommendations include better coordinated public transport timetables with integrated ticketing arrangements, consideration of a workplace parking levy and measures to reduce the need to travel, including remote working sites with superfast broadband so people can work closer to home.

A ‘transport focused’ approach to planning should also be taken to ensure developments are built around the public transport network rather than the motorway.

The report stops short of recommending a region specific road user charging scheme for south east Wales but the committee said a UK wide pay per mile road pricing system would provide an important mechanism for addressing congestion on the M4.

Responding to the report in a written statement, Minster for Economy & Transport Ken Skates said the Welsh Government would consider the proposals in detail, adding: “I warmly welcome the direction of travel the report has described.”

If implemented successfully, he said the recommendations “will give people who live in south east Wales and neighbouring areas new transport choices, enabling the region to move away from a reliance on the private car and congested roads”.

The Commission’s report comes shortly after publication of the new Wales Transport Strategy, which includes ambitions to direct investments towards greener transport options. The plan is out for public consultation until 25 January.

Also responding to the South East Wales Transport Commission’s final report, Newport Council leader Jane Mudd said: “We’re becoming increasingly aware of the need to change travel habits to address pollution and climate change so I welcome the proposals to enhance public transport networks.”

She called on the UK Government to fully fund the railway schemes set out by the Commission, noting: “We were promised that the significant funding that was to be used for the relief road would be diverted to pay for alternatives.”

Cycling group Sustrans Cymru’s director Christine Boston also welcomed the report and said the congestion on the M4 is “the effect of a transport system that is simply not fit for purpose”.

She called for the recommendations to be adopted as quickly as possible but added: “Following the recent public health crisis, any investment will need to include a campaign to restore people’s confidence in public transport.”

(Photograph: Kyle Westwood - Arup)