The Welsh Government has put the brakes on dozens of new roadbuilding projects under a new policy that places strict criteria on future developments.
Its newly published Roads Review, along with the National Transport Delivery Plan, is the work of a year-long project and comes after the UN General Secretary warned the world is headed for a climate catastrophe without urgent action.
In the future, the Government will only consider future road investment for projects that:
- Reduce carbon emissions and support a shift to public transport, walking and cycling
- Improve safety through small-scale change
- Help the Welsh Government adapt to the impacts of climate change
- Provide connections to jobs and areas of economic activity in a way that maximises the use of public transport, walking and cycling
Projects halted include a third Menai Bridge linking Anglesey and the mainland, along with a controversial “red route” scheme in Flintshire, north Wales.
Speaking in the Senedd, Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters said the approach for the last 70 years was not working.
“As the review points out, the by-pass that was demanded to relieve congestion often ends up leading to extra traffic, which in time brings further demands for extra lanes, wider junctions and more roads.
Round and round we go, emitting more and more carbon as we do it and we will not get to Net Zero unless we stop doing the same thing over and over.”
Waters stressed that new roads investment will still happen but said “we are raising the bar for where new roads are the right response to transport problems”. He also emphasised investment in “real alternatives”, including rail, bus, walking and cycling projects.
The new strategy has met with a mixed reaction, seen as ground-breaking by eco groups and cycling bodies but confusing and “kicking the economic prospects of businesses in Wales into the long grass” by Welsh shadow minister for transport, the Conservative Natasha Asghar.
Trade body Logistics UK said it was disappointed with the announcement but looked forward to progress being made on the remaining approved schemes.
Head of cities and infrastructure policy, Jonathan Walker commented: “Overall, the report’s significant references to freight – including the recommendation that a Wales National Freight and Logistics Plan be published – are encouraging for the sector, as is the reference to driver facilities improvements. In order to deliver zero carbon and support the Welsh economy, links to ports must also be considered, and where modal shift is referenced, it is important to be realistic about capacity on the rail network.
“Logistics is a key driver of the UK economy and we are urging for the swift delivery of this strategy to avoid any lengthy delays to investment where it is needed. We look forward to consulting further with members and the Welsh Government to clarify exactly what this report means for the sector, and to seek practicable benefits for industry.”
