M4 junction closures and new Menai crossing in plans to tackle congestion on Welsh roads

The Welsh government said it would immediately recommence development work for a third Menai crossing.

Plans had been formally scrapped three years ago, although a year later the then Labour Transport Secretary Ken Skates suggested it was back on the agenda.

Officials believe a new crossing could cost around £670m, with development work taking up to two years. It would be at least eight to ten years before the crossing was built.

The A55 is currently carried over the Menai by the Britannia Bridge, and unlike the rest of the road it is a single carriageway.

The Menai Suspension Bridge has been restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes since repair works began in October 2022.

The government has ruled out a three-lane tidal-flow operation on the Britannia Bridge after a review found significant safety and operational concerns.

Hooper said the government would invest in wind deflectors, variable speed limits and other improvements on the bridge.

But he said: “These measures will not replace the need for a third crossing.”

The government promised to accelerate existing plans for new stations at Magor, Undy and Cardiff Parkway.

Rail is not devolved, although the UK government has already pledged £445m for new rail stations.

Hooper told the Senedd that a new Network South East Wales board would oversee delivery.

“I have asked the team to prioritise delivery of the Cardiff Parkway and Magor and Undy stations so communities can begin to benefit from these investments as quickly as possible.”

Hooper said “people want action, not endless discussion”.

“They want reliable journeys, less disruption and confidence that government is getting on with improving things and making a difference to people’s lives. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“We will carry out an 18-month study to consider a range of road-based solutions for the M4 around Newport. Alongside that work, we are taking action to reduce peak-hour traffic by up to around one in ten vehicles.”

Labour’s Newport council leader, Batrouni, said the proposed junction closures were a “bitter pill” for residents impacted.

“We will totally be doing we can to challenge the Welsh government and Plaid’s decision on this.

“It adds a great traffic burden to the city,” he added.

Leader of Reform Wales, Helen Jenner, said: “Plaid’s answer to the M4 congestion problem appears to be moving the traffic around and closing junctions rather than solving the problem.”

She added: “Reform believes the M4 relief road remains the only credible way to provide additional capacity and take pressure off the existing motorway.”

Welsh Labour spokesperson for transport, Vikki Howells, said: “It’s taken the Plaid government five months to realise there’s a traffic problem in Newport – and now it’s taking them another 18 months to come up with some answers.”

She said all Plaid seemed capable of “is yet another review”.

“Ministers should now devolve this decision out to local leaders, so people in Newport aren’t made to wait even longer for action.”

Natasha Asghar, of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “Closing important and well-used motorway junctions will simply move congestion around and clog up A roads and other city streets rather than creating additional road capacity.”

She welcomed the wider package of measures, including progressing new train stations, but added: “None of these are a substitute for a long-term solution to the fundamental capacity problems on the M4 around Newport, which can only be addressed by increasing capacity. The best way to do this is to build an M4 relief road.”