Welsh Government M4 consultation failure

6 February 2013

Traffic falls in last 5 years, yet costly road building offered as only option

The Welsh Government has admitted that its consultation on transport in south east Wales was inadequate [1], following a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth Cymru and Gwent Wildlife Trust.

All four options included expensive road schemes, despite the Welsh Government's own analysis showing that public transport improvements alone would tackle problems around the M4 [2].

A new consultation and environmental report will now be needed.

Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"The Welsh Government's own lawyers have declared their transport consultation inadequate, which means a tremendous amount of money has been wasted on a process we described at the time as shambolic.

"Traffic on the M4 has fallen by 4% since 2007, and the Welsh Government admits that improvements to public transport alone could improve transport on the M4. Yet this was not even given as an option.

"It's only our legal challenge that has forced the Welsh Government to rethink its fixation with road-building. Perhaps now they'll consider cost-effective public transport improvements, which will save money at the same time as protecting our environment."

Tom Clarke, Chief Executive of Gwent Wildlife Trust, said:

"We are delighted with this result because the amazing wildlife of the protected Gwent Levels was under threat from the proposals. The environment will now be accorded the weight it deserves. This is by no means the end of our fight against development on the Gwent Levels, but now we are at least assured of a fair hearing, for both people and wildlife."

NOTES

1. The Welsh Government's legal department states that Welsh Ministers "have not yet provided an [Strategic Environmental Assessment] environmental report". However, the M4 consultation in November is entitled "Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report"
2. The Welsh Government's conclusion on a package of measures focused on improving public transport was "It is considered that this Package could achieve its purpose in addressing the problems of the M4 corridor between Magor and Castleton."

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