Green light for M4 relief road plans

17/07/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

Welsh Transport Minister Edwina Hart has approved plans for a £1 billion M4 relief road around Newport.

The M4 is a key east-west route providing the main gateway into South Wales and provides a facility for transporting goods, linking people to jobs and employment sites as well as serving the Wales tourism industry.

Three routes have been under consideration as part of a public consultation.

In a statement issued by the Welsh Government, Hart said: “I am pleased to be able to update members on the outcome of the consultation on the M4 Corridor around Newport.

“Traffic congestion and unreliable journey times, particularly during rush hour, are common occurrences on the M4 around Newport. Addressing these capacity and resilience issues is a significant challenge that we face in ensuring that Wales has an effective economic infrastructure which improves our competitiveness and access to jobs and services.

To tackle this, we have identified the need for substantial improvements to the network between Magor and Castleton. Working with local communities, we carried out extensive work and consultation in the development of the draft plan.”

A public consultation on the draft plan and associated assessments took place between September and December 2013.

Hart continued: “The responses to the draft plan public consultation did not provide any reasons why the draft plan should not be adopted as the plan for the M4 Corridor around Newport.

“After carefully considering the responses to the consultation, the Environmental Report which accompanied the draft plan consultation and associated assessments, I have decided to adopt the plan, which includes a new section of motorway being built between junctions 23 and 29 south of Newport, alongside complementary measures.”

These measures include:


  • Reclassifying the existing M4 between Magor and Castleton


  • An M4/M48/B4245 connection


  • Providing cycling friendly infrastructure


  • Providing walking friendly infrastructure.


The plan will be published on the www.m4Newport.com website as required by the Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations.

Hart concluded: “The plan is seeking to improve accessibility for people, Welsh goods and services to international markets by addressing capacity and resilience issues on the main gateway into South Wales. This will deliver clear benefits for businesses and commuters and complements our proposals for a Metro system for the Cardiff Capital Region. I have agreed for my officials to begin the procurement of a contractor to progress the design of the scheme.”

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

£46,878 - £50,071
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 - £25,989 per annum
We are currently looking for a Mobile Cleansing Operative to join our Northallerton team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW