Growing concern M4 junction closures could impact borough drivers

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Some councillors in Caerphilly have joined opposition to proposed M4 junction closures in Newport, arguing the move could impact commuters from Risca and beyond.

The Welsh Government has pledged to review motorway congestion around the city, and one option on the table involves partially or fully shutting three junctions.

This could include a full closure of Junction 27 at High Cross, with drivers from the Risca area then most likely to only use Junction 28, at Tredegar Park.

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Cllr Amanda McConnell, the cabinet member responsible for highways at Caerphilly County Borough Council, has warned funnelling traffic onto one route will have “a negative impact” on the borough’s residents.

The Labour councillor said she had requested a meeting with Mark Hooper, the government’s deputy minister for transport, to discuss the potential issues around junction closures.

“I am asking people in Risca and the surrounding area to write to me with any views, so I can put the concerns of the community directly to the deputy minister,” said Cllr McConnell.

“These junction closures are causing concern with residents, so as the cabinet member for highways, my job is to engage with the Welsh Government on important matters like this.”

The current Plaid Cymru government has promised “action, not endless discussion” to improve M4 congestion, and will spend 18 months researching various combinations of “roads-based solutions”.

These include possibly widening the Brynglas Tunnels and the A48 in Newport, but a government report describes junction closures as the “fastest and cheapest to deliver” option.

Under that proposal, some access to Junctions 25 and 26 – either side of the tunnels – could be restricted, in addition to the potential full closure of Junction 27.

The report recognises closures “would likely be unpopular with the local community”, however.

Meanwhile, the government continues to back ongoing plans for public transport investment in and around Newport, including new railway stations, which were tabled under the previous Welsh Labour administration.

Figures from Welsh Labour have been among the most prominent critics of potential junction closures, although party leader Ken Skates’ recent calls in the Senedd for a relief road puzzled some – given the plan was cancelled by Labour in 2019.

In Newport, the city council has already confirmed its near-unanimous opposition to junction closures.

Newport Council’s leader, Cllr Dimitri Batrouni, has warned the proposals “will not only inhibit our growth but cause traffic mayhem in key choke points” to achieve an estimated 3% reduction in M4 traffic levels.

There are now plans for a similar motion against junction closures at Caerphilly Council, spearheaded by Risca East councillor Arianna Leonard.

The proposed notice of motion asks the government to consider the plan’s impact on drivers from the borough, and to rule out junction closures in any actions to improve M4 congestion.

A council scrutiny committee will debate the motion in early December.

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