Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, will today (9 March) visit the site of Newport’s Eastern Distributor road where work has begun on the new route that will help ease congestion on the M4.
The first phase of developments, which is expected to take about five months to complete and cost £1.75m, will include starting the upgrading of the existing access road through the former Llanwern Steelworks to a public highway standard dual carriageway.
The upgraded road when completed will pass close to the proposed Llanwern Park & Ride/Share railway facility which will eventually serve the east of the city and create sustainable travel links to both Newport and Cardiff. It will also provide improved access to a former area of the steelworks, now known as the Glan Llyn development, thereby assisting the areas regeneration.
Making the announcement, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said,
“The M4 is a vital economic artery through South Wales and we are taking action to make sure it is further improved and that traffic is able to flow more smoothly.”
“By bringing into public use the three-mile dual carriageway that runs through the Tata site we will be relieving pressure on the section between Junction 23a at Magor and Junction 24 at Coldra.”
“The development of this new road, which is both sustainable and affordable, will improve the environment in the city centre and improve access to residential and industrial areas in both the east and south of Newport.”
“We recognise that problems with congestion and unreliable journey times have sadly been a fact of life on the M4 around Newport for many years. Commencing the first phase of this new road is another step forward in addressing this issue.”
This current phase, together with the planned Phase 2 – which is currently out to tender – will when complete, create a public highway linking the Newport Southern Distributor Road in the Spytty area to Junction 23A at Magor.
Said Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Matthew Evans,
“This is an important development, the council welcomes this first stage which will open up access to the new development on the former steel works site. When the full link is completed the road system will ease pressure on the M4 and provide excellent new access to the city.
“Newport City Council was responsible for the design of this first phase of work which takes advantage of sustainable construction methods and will assist in reducing the carbon footprint of the scheme.
“The council looks forward to phase two of the scheme starting as soon as possible. When the entire project is finished it will significantly improve the roads and will be a fitting boost to the regeneration of the city.”
The works are part of a package of the Welsh Assembly Government measures that will address issues such as capacity, safety and resilience along the M4 corridor.
Work already underway include improvements to motorway junctions, the creation of more train stations and park and ride facilities throughout South East Wales and enhancements to the local road network.
Every effort will be made to keep disruption to the public to a minimum during construction. Temporary signage will be deployed during the construction period to ensure safety of both the public and the workers engaged in constructing the works.
