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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| M4 relief road fears highlighted | M4 relief road fears highlighted |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Opponents of a planned M4 relief road, which it is claimed would wreak havoc with a wildlife haven, have staged a campaign event over their concerns. | |
| Gwent Wildlife Trust claims the road would damage the Gwent Levels Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). | Gwent Wildlife Trust claims the road would damage the Gwent Levels Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). |
| It had invited residents to a "Marshes or Motorway" event, to explain its fears over the plans. | |
| The Welsh Assembly Government said the proposed route had been realigned in 2004 to minimise impact on the levels. | The Welsh Assembly Government said the proposed route had been realigned in 2004 to minimise impact on the levels. |
| In September, Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the road would run from Magor to Castleton, and could open in 2013. | In September, Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the road would run from Magor to Castleton, and could open in 2013. |
| His comments followed two M4 crashes which led to traffic chaos, including it being closed for eight hours following a head-on collision in which five people died. | His comments followed two M4 crashes which led to traffic chaos, including it being closed for eight hours following a head-on collision in which five people died. |
| Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) has urged the public to support its campaign against the proposed road. | Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) has urged the public to support its campaign against the proposed road. |
| It claims the plan contradicts the assembly government's pledge of putting sustainable development at the heart of its agenda. | It claims the plan contradicts the assembly government's pledge of putting sustainable development at the heart of its agenda. |
| 'Rare flora and fauna' | 'Rare flora and fauna' |
| The "Marshes or Motorway" event, at its Magor Marsh reserve on Tuesday, included tours of the SSSI, it said, and was a chance to question key ecologists and campaigners. | |
| Julian Branscombe, GWT chief executive, said the Gwent Levels was a prime example of wetlands where rare aquatic flora and fauna had survived. | Julian Branscombe, GWT chief executive, said the Gwent Levels was a prime example of wetlands where rare aquatic flora and fauna had survived. |
| Species there included water voles - "our fastest-declining mammals", rare plants like frogbit, insects like the silver water beetle, said Mr Branscombe. | Species there included water voles - "our fastest-declining mammals", rare plants like frogbit, insects like the silver water beetle, said Mr Branscombe. |
| Its drainage ditches, known as reens, are inhabited by more than 150 "nationally-significant" invertebrates, he said, some of which date back to Roman times. | Its drainage ditches, known as reens, are inhabited by more than 150 "nationally-significant" invertebrates, he said, some of which date back to Roman times. |
| He added: "Five miles of the wetland would be directly affected by this monstrous road proposal - an ill-conceived and unsustainable relief road for the existing M4 around Newport." | He added: "Five miles of the wetland would be directly affected by this monstrous road proposal - an ill-conceived and unsustainable relief road for the existing M4 around Newport." |
| Mr Branscombe said a further worry was that pressure for new developments along the road could result in road kills of rare species like otter and barn owl. | Mr Branscombe said a further worry was that pressure for new developments along the road could result in road kills of rare species like otter and barn owl. |
| Speaking in September, Ieuan Wyn Jones said a business case for the plans would be looked at and, if it was a "robust business case", there was the possibility of a business inquiry in 2009 and work starting in 2010. | Speaking in September, Ieuan Wyn Jones said a business case for the plans would be looked at and, if it was a "robust business case", there was the possibility of a business inquiry in 2009 and work starting in 2010. |
| Water voles are among the species found on the Gwent Levels | |
| A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said the project planning included a series of environmental impact surveys required under environmental legislation. | A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said the project planning included a series of environmental impact surveys required under environmental legislation. |
| She added: "If the minister approves the business case for the project, it is expected that a public local inquiry will be held, which will provide an opportunity for an independent review of the project. | She added: "If the minister approves the business case for the project, it is expected that a public local inquiry will be held, which will provide an opportunity for an independent review of the project. |
| "The recommendations from this inquiry will enable the minister to make an informed decision." | "The recommendations from this inquiry will enable the minister to make an informed decision." |
| Plans for a relief road have existed for 15 years. Other groups to have voiced their concerns over the current proposals include Friends of the Earth Cymru. | Plans for a relief road have existed for 15 years. Other groups to have voiced their concerns over the current proposals include Friends of the Earth Cymru. |