South East Wales Transport Commission: final recommendations
Posted on Thursday 26th November 2020
Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “I would like to thank the Commission for their detailed examination of the issue of congestion on the M4 in Newport and their considered and ambitious recommendations.
“We’re becoming increasingly aware of the need to change travel habits to address pollution and climate change so I welcome the proposals to enhance public transport networks. I look forward to Newport playing a leading role in the delivery of those recommendations and want our citizens engaged as part of the process.
“I believe a great and affordable public transport system will encourage more people to leave their cars at home. Let us give people greater choice by providing better alternatives, rather than penalising people.
“We were promised that the significant funding that was to be used for the relief road would be diverted to pay for alternatives. Without that commitment, these good intentions will come to nothing and that will be a terrible waste of the commission’s considerable time and effort.
“I welcome the commitment of Welsh Government to work with Newport City Council to deliver these recommendations and call on UK Government to fully fund the required investment in rail infrastructure.
“The council unanimously supported the building of the relief road but I accept the decision that was made not to proceed with the project and the reasons for that decision.
“And it is vital that Newport is not left behind. The congestion problem needs to be solved and the report recommendations give us a way forward. This must not be a repeat of the promise to reopen the Ebbw Vale to Newport rail link which we are still waiting for. Time is of the essence here and Newport must be at the centre of the solution.”
Read the full report: https://gov.wales/south-east-wales-transport-commission-final-recommendations