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M4 relief road 'could open 2013' | M4 relief road 'could open 2013' |
(20 minutes later) | |
Traffic chaos after two fatal crashes on the M4 has prompted the Welsh Assembly Government to put a date on the possible opening of a relief road. | Traffic chaos after two fatal crashes on the M4 has prompted the Welsh Assembly Government to put a date on the possible opening of a relief road. |
On Monday, there was heavy congestion in the Newport area after the motorway was closed for eight hours following a head-on collision in which five died. | On Monday, there was heavy congestion in the Newport area after the motorway was closed for eight hours following a head-on collision in which five died. |
Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the road would run from Magor to Castleton, and could open in 2013. | Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the road would run from Magor to Castleton, and could open in 2013. |
But environmentalists said they would oppose the plans on several grounds. | |
Over 100,000 vehicles a day travel on the M4 in the Newport area. | Over 100,000 vehicles a day travel on the M4 in the Newport area. |
We could start the work in 2010, with an anticipated completion date of 2013 Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones | We could start the work in 2010, with an anticipated completion date of 2013 Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones |
Plans for a relief road have been on the drawing board for 15 years. | Plans for a relief road have been on the drawing board for 15 years. |
Speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday, the deputy first minister told AMs that two recent crashes had caused grid lock to the south Wales corridor. | Speaking in the Senedd on Wednesday, the deputy first minister told AMs that two recent crashes had caused grid lock to the south Wales corridor. |
Last month, there were 10-mile tailbacks during rush hour when the motorway was closed after a lorry driver died in a crash at Tredegar Park. | Last month, there were 10-mile tailbacks during rush hour when the motorway was closed after a lorry driver died in a crash at Tredegar Park. |
Mr Jones told BBC Wales: "There will be a business case looked at this year, and if that is a robust business case then there's a possibility of a business inquiry in 2009 then hopefully we could start the work in 2010, with an anticipated completion date of 2013." | Mr Jones told BBC Wales: "There will be a business case looked at this year, and if that is a robust business case then there's a possibility of a business inquiry in 2009 then hopefully we could start the work in 2010, with an anticipated completion date of 2013." |
The relief road would run for 14 miles (22.5km) from Magor to Castleton. | The relief road would run for 14 miles (22.5km) from Magor to Castleton. |
Part of it could cross the Gwent Levels, an area renowned for wildlife. | Part of it could cross the Gwent Levels, an area renowned for wildlife. |
Neil Crumpton, from Friends of the Earth Cymru, said they would oppose the plans even if the road was built across a brownfield site. | Neil Crumpton, from Friends of the Earth Cymru, said they would oppose the plans even if the road was built across a brownfield site. |
He said: "It's not a good example to set internationally in terms of climate protection or conservation protection." | He said: "It's not a good example to set internationally in terms of climate protection or conservation protection." |
Following the crash on Monday, Patrick Long from the Gwent Chamber of Commerce said the economy of the area had been affected by the traffic congestion. | Following the crash on Monday, Patrick Long from the Gwent Chamber of Commerce said the economy of the area had been affected by the traffic congestion. |
He said: "It's [the relief road] been spoken about before. | He said: "It's [the relief road] been spoken about before. |
"Certainly we'd like to see it but there's nothing definite come out yet, and it seems to be all talk at the moment." | "Certainly we'd like to see it but there's nothing definite come out yet, and it seems to be all talk at the moment." |