This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21999518
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| M4 relief road: Chancellor 'to approve toll plan' | M4 relief road: Chancellor 'to approve toll plan' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Plans to build an M4 relief road in south Wales are being backed by the Treasury, the BBC has been told. | Plans to build an M4 relief road in south Wales are being backed by the Treasury, the BBC has been told. |
| It follows press reports reports that Chancellor George Osborne will announce plans to support a new toll motorway in June's comprehensive spending review. | |
| A Westminster source said agreement in principle had been reached but a deal on funding was not finalised. | A Westminster source said agreement in principle had been reached but a deal on funding was not finalised. |
| The Welsh government dropped plans for an M4 relief road around Newport in 2009 after the cost rose to £1bn. | The Welsh government dropped plans for an M4 relief road around Newport in 2009 after the cost rose to £1bn. |
| Talks have been continuing between the UK and Welsh governments about ways to fund improvements to the M4 in south Wales, which business leaders say is vital for the economy. | Talks have been continuing between the UK and Welsh governments about ways to fund improvements to the M4 in south Wales, which business leaders say is vital for the economy. |
| Neither administration has commented directly on the reports in The Times and Independent, but the Welsh government pointed to a statement last month that it was "following due process" on the issue of easing the congestion on the M4 around Newport. | Neither administration has commented directly on the reports in The Times and Independent, but the Welsh government pointed to a statement last month that it was "following due process" on the issue of easing the congestion on the M4 around Newport. |
| Crashes | Crashes |
| Both newspapers report that funding for a relief motorway will be guaranteed by the Treasury to allow the Welsh government to build the road and then to repay the loan at least in part by raising tolls. | Both newspapers report that funding for a relief motorway will be guaranteed by the Treasury to allow the Welsh government to build the road and then to repay the loan at least in part by raising tolls. |
| If approved, the M4 relief road could become the UK's second toll motorway after the 27-mile (43km) M6 Toll north of Birmingham which opened in 2003. | If approved, the M4 relief road could become the UK's second toll motorway after the 27-mile (43km) M6 Toll north of Birmingham which opened in 2003. |
| Employers' group the CBI has called a relief road to ease congestion on the M4 near Newport a "clear priority". | Employers' group the CBI has called a relief road to ease congestion on the M4 near Newport a "clear priority". |
| Business leaders say traffic jams, particularly after crashes which close the motorway, are bad for the economy of south Wales. | Business leaders say traffic jams, particularly after crashes which close the motorway, are bad for the economy of south Wales. |
| Plans were announced in 2004 for a 14-mile road to ease congestion on the M4 around Newport, between junctions 23 and 29. | |
| The scheme was estimated to cost at least £350m and was due to open in 2013, with the possibility that it would be partly financed by tolls. | The scheme was estimated to cost at least £350m and was due to open in 2013, with the possibility that it would be partly financed by tolls. |
| When the scheme was scrapped in 2009, its likely cost had risen to £1bn. | When the scheme was scrapped in 2009, its likely cost had risen to £1bn. |
| Ieuan Wyn Jones, then deputy first minister and transport minister, said at the time that putting tolls on the "unaffordable" proposed new road would have reduced its economic effectiveness. | Ieuan Wyn Jones, then deputy first minister and transport minister, said at the time that putting tolls on the "unaffordable" proposed new road would have reduced its economic effectiveness. |
| 'Better ways' | 'Better ways' |
| Financial journalist Mickey Clarke told BBC Radio Wales: "It's worth pointing out though that the M6 Toll in the Midlands... hasn't ever made any money. People won't pay it. That's the trouble." | |
| Nick Payne, regional director of the Road Haulage Association, welcomed the idea of the proposed new motorway going ahead but was against the prospect of tolls. | Nick Payne, regional director of the Road Haulage Association, welcomed the idea of the proposed new motorway going ahead but was against the prospect of tolls. |
| He said: "The M6 Toll road hasn't been massively successful as far as the transport industry is concerned. I don't know whether or not the haulage industry in Wales can afford to be paying yet another toll after paying so much money to get across the [Severn] bridge every day." | He said: "The M6 Toll road hasn't been massively successful as far as the transport industry is concerned. I don't know whether or not the haulage industry in Wales can afford to be paying yet another toll after paying so much money to get across the [Severn] bridge every day." |
| Matt Hemsley, spokesman for the transport charity Sustrans Cymru, criticised the M4 relief road as "poor value for money", saying investment in public transport would do more to ease congestion. | Matt Hemsley, spokesman for the transport charity Sustrans Cymru, criticised the M4 relief road as "poor value for money", saying investment in public transport would do more to ease congestion. |
| "The Welsh government acknowledges that 40% of journeys on this stretch of the M4 are local trips of under 20 miles," he said. | "The Welsh government acknowledges that 40% of journeys on this stretch of the M4 are local trips of under 20 miles," he said. |
| "By making it easier for people to walk, cycle and catch public transport we can ease congestion, improve our health and save the economy billions." | "By making it easier for people to walk, cycle and catch public transport we can ease congestion, improve our health and save the economy billions." |
| Proposals for an M4 relief road have also faced criticism by environment campaigners, who fear damage to the Gwent Levels Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). | |
| In February 2012 the Welsh government announced plans to turn an old access road through Llanwern steelworks into a £13m dual carriageway to link south Newport with the M4, claiming it would help relieve congestion. | In February 2012 the Welsh government announced plans to turn an old access road through Llanwern steelworks into a £13m dual carriageway to link south Newport with the M4, claiming it would help relieve congestion. |