Assembly makes the right decision for A40

5 Dec 2008

The Welsh Assembly's decision to support road improvements to the A40 in Pembrokeshire, as opposed to building a dual carriageway, has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth Cymru.

Friends of the Earth Cymru's director, Gordon James, said:

"We're very pleased with the Welsh Assembly's decision to back road improvements along the A40 in Pembrokeshire, effectively ruling out an unnecessary dual carriageway. This was our recommendation years ago, and we've been campaigning for it since.

"A dual carriageway on the A40 would encourage more traffic, increasing the emission of greenhouse gases, and would be hugely expensive.

"It's been estimated that a dual carriageway from St Clears to Haverfordwest would have only reduced journey times by about seven minutes. This minor time saving would have cost over a hundred million pounds - money that would be better spent on improving public transport.

"We do support the building of a Robeston Wathen by-pass and a roundabout at Canaston Bridge as part of a road improvement programme. It's good news for the people of Robeston Wathen that now a by-pass can go ahead, and they won't have to wait any longer.

"The Welsh Assembly has committed to placing sustainability and tackling climate change at the centre of all its policies. It is road-building choices such as this that will be the test - this time the Assembly has made the right decision."

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