Completion date for a proposed M4 improvement around Newport is not expected to slip despite a delay to the start of a public inquiry, according to the Welsh Government.
The project involves construction of a 24km section of three lane motorway to the south of Newport and is set to complete in autumn 2021.
The public inquiry was due to begin on 1 November but unexpected revisions to the Department for Transport’s traffic forecasting methodology has necessitated a delay until the new year. This will allow time for latest data to be considered.
"The UK Government has already expressed its desire to see work on the M4 project start as soon as possible,” said Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure Ken Skates.
"So it is hugely disappointing that the Department for Transport chose only to engage with us on these amendments to its traffic forecasting three days before they were introduced, forcing this regrettable delay to the start date of the public inquiry.”
The inquiry, which is expected to last around five months, will now start by 31 March.
It will hear from supporters and objectors to the scheme, consider all environmental, social and economic factors and examine all alternative routes proposed.
Ken Skates said that long standing traffic congestion problems associated with the M4 around Newport need a long term solution. “Assessments indicate that our proposed M4 project is the only reasonable solution,” he said.
“I have been assured that, subject to inquiry approval, the M4 corridor around Newport will still be completed in 2021.”
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