Plaid Cymru AM calls for substantial debate on next steps as M4 Black Route plans are scrapped

04/06/2019By: Rhys Hughes

With Welsh Government scrapping plans to push ahead with the M4 Black Route, Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for Economy and Finance Rhun ap Iorwerth has called for the scheduling of a substantial debate in the Assembly in order to discuss the next steps which need to be taken as the £1.4bn plan was halted.

First Minister Mark Drakeford announced that he had taken the decision to axe the scheme because of its cost and impact on the environment. The plans would have seen a 14-mile motorway built in a bid to tackle the congestion faced by motorists around Newport, with the topic presenting as one of the most prevalent matters discussed in the Assembly in recent years.

Prior to the decision being announced on Tuesday afternoon, Mr ap Iorwerth requested that Welsh Government allocate a substantial amount of time for Members to debate the next steps for the area and for the funding which was allocated to the project.

The Plaid Cymru AM said:

“I have requested a debate in Government time, regarding the First Minister’s decision on the M4 corridor around Newport. Numerous views were expressed in the Assembly chamber in response to the First Minister’s statement yesterday, but I think more time is needed.

“Government should make time for a substantial debate, possibly over two days even, on what exactly the implications of this decision are and what steps need to be taken as an institution, as a Government and as a nation, as we move forward from this particular point in time.

“I think this has been one of the most important political issues that we have discussed in recent years, but I do believe in light of that that we do need to ensure that there is adequate time allocated here in our national Parliament to have this important debate as we face the next steps.”