Welsh Labour has reversed its position on one of the most contentious decisions made by former First Minister Mark Drakeford, now calling for a road to ease congestion on the M4 at Newport. The party, now led by Ken Skates, is urging the new Plaid Cymru administration to build an "appropriate relief road" for the motorway.
The former First Minister scrapped proposals for a six-lane M4 relief road south of Newport in 2019, with the then Labour-led Welsh Government citing cost and environmental impact. Skates took over the party leadership after a disastrous Senedd election in May, in which the Labour group was decimated and then-leader Eluned Morgan lost her seat.
Motion calls for new road and rules out junction closures
Labour's motion, to be debated next Wednesday (October 21), describes Plaid Cymru's plans announced last week as "inadequate". Those plans include a short-term package with possible junction closures and a five-year consultation on M4 improvements.
The full proposal calls on the Senedd to support the belief that the Welsh Government's proposals for relieving congestion on the M4 around Newport are inadequate, and to urge the Welsh Government to rule out junction closures and begin work on an appropriate relief road.
Political support and regional devolution call
WalesOnline understands that Labour's motion would have the support of Reform UK and the Conservative groups in the Senedd, meaning it would pass, although it is not binding on the Plaid Cymru minority government.
In a statement ahead of a speech this weekend, Skates said: "The M4 is a perfect example of why decisions need to be made in and by the regions and communities of Wales. There is overwhelming opposition to junction closures through Newport, yet people, councillors and businesses risk being ignored by Plaid Ministers in Cardiff Bay."
He added: "Instead, Cardiff Bay should devolve decisions to the region and communities of South East Wales, so that solutions are made by the people through whose communities the motorway passes. People in the region should be trusted, empowered and respected in deciding what affects them. Their need for congestion to be dealt with can only realistically be met through getting to work on a relief road."
Skates will use the speech to argue that public services could be improved by devolving powers and money from Cardiff Bay, and that communities should be given the powers, funding and trust to improve high streets, community facilities and services.
Newport council leader backs motion
Newport council leader Dimitri Batrouni said he supported the motion. Speaking to WalesOnline, he said: "I am really pleased we have come to this decision, it's the right decision for Newport, but not only Newport, but Wales. It's a brave thing to do, given our recent track history, but it's the right thing to do."
He said the support from opposition parties in the Senedd piled pressure onto Plaid Cymru. "Their response to my campaign against junction closures has been 'you should have done something yourselves' and now we're realising we should have and changing our mind because it's the right to thing to do," he said.
During the Senedd election campaign, Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said he backed a "roads-based solution" for the M4. Days after the announcement, his transport minister Mark Hooper said all options were on the table and that "inaction isn't an option".
Under Plaid's plan for the M4, there is an 18-month proposal of short-term measures, which could include partial and full junction closures, and a longer-term, five-year plan for permanent improvements. Options include potentially widening the Brynglas tunnels and building a new road. Costs of neither were disclosed.
