A decision is needed now on how to make urgent improvements to a key part of the M4 in south Wales, Monmouth MP David Davies says.
Mr Davies made the call after leading a meeting with industry representatives on how best to tackle heavy congestion and increase capacity on the motorway between the Second Severn Crossing and Newport, along with discussing the importance of a relief road.
It follows a number of accidents which have closed the M4 around the notorious traffic bottleneck at the Brynglas Tunnels in Newport, the most recent being last Thursday.
“I was delighted that politicians and business representatives were able to get together to discuss the importance of road improvements in south east Wales,” said Mr Davies.
“There was a clear feeling that the high tolls on the Severn bridges represent a tax on business investment in the area and also that the M4 has now become so congested, the time has come for a decision to be taken about improvements and a possible relief road.
“I believe the need for large scale funding to upgrade the road network would pay for itself in terms of increased jobs and economic growth.”
The Summit on the Services, held at Magor service station this morning, was attend by representatives from the Freight Transport Association, Institute of Directors and Roadchef.
They gathered with Welsh Conservative AMs and MPs, including Wales Office Minister Stephen Crabb MP, Shadow Minister for Transport Byron Davies AM and Shadow Minister for Business Nick Ramsay AM, to call for the UK and Welsh Governments to agree a funding solution in the run-up to next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review.
“The Wales Office Minister came to Magor to hear these concerns in person and he went away knowing full well how strongly people feel about this important issue,” added Mr Davies, who is also chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee.
In March, the committee said the M4 has suffered from under-investment and congestion for too long which is damaging the Welsh economy.