New motorway would be 'unnecessary and unaffordable'

19 Sept 2008

Environment campaigners, community councils and concerned residents will be taking their campaign to halt plans for a new motorway to the steps of the Senedd next Tuesday (23 September).

The six lane toll road would cut through the highly protected Gwent Levels¹, supposedly as the solution to safety and congestion concerns on sections of the M4 around Newport.

CALM² (Campaign Against Levels Motorway) has organised the protest to coincide with the first day back at work for the Assembly Government, which is due to consider the business case for the road plan in the coming session.

Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner, Haf Elgar, said:

"Spotting the gaping holes in the business case for this new motorway proposal will not be very challenging. Friends of the Earth Cymru is convinced that this new motorway is unnecessary, and will soon be seen to be unaffordable.

"At a time when we must do everything possible to cut carbon emissions, and the Assembly Government has a strong commitment to greenhouse gas reductions, even thinking about building a new motorway is absolutely ridiculous.

"This six lane toll road would do little to improve safety or tackle congestion on the M4, but it would take our concentration away from the sustainable transport solutions we should be pursuing.

"Rather than vastly expensive road building schemes, we need to be moving more of our transport spend into public transport and traffic reduction. Any sensible consideration will see this motorway proposal rejected immediately."

NOTES

1. The Gwent Levels are a low lying area of coastal and floodplain marsh running along the north western side of the river Severn. Much of the Levels are protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the botanical interest of the reen (drainage ditch) system and invertebrates found there, including 115 Nationally Notable or Red Data Book species. Otters, water voles, lapwings and curlews also breed there.
2. CALM is an alliance of organisations and individuals who oppose the construction of a new M4 motorway. These include Friends of the Earth Cymru, Gwent Wildlife Trust, World Wildlife Fund Cymru, RSPB Cymru, community councils and local residents

For further information please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577