Welsh Government has increased the number of traffic officers on the M4 around Newport since plans for an alternative route were abandoned this summer after a £114M enquiry recommended the go-ahead of the controversial Black-Route over greenfields. More recovery vehicles were allocated during the summer months and these will now be deployed for major events and bank holidays in future as live … [Read more...]
Cardiff & Swansea rail boost announced
Up to £58 million to upgrade Cardiff Central Station was confirmed today by the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling. Subject to the necessary assurances that the scheme represents value for money, these upgrades will ease crowding and congestion through the station during peak periods, drive forward regeneration and enable longer trains with more seats to serve the capital. Secretary of State … [Read more...]
Newport relief road scrapped
There have been mixed reactions to the scrapping of the £1.4B M4 relief road by First Minister Mark Drayford. Over-ruling the recommendation of the inspector after a £44M public enquiry last year, the First Minister said the environmental reasons were too strong and the cost was too high for the southern relief road around Newport. Environmentalists immediately welcomed the news the road … [Read more...]
First Minister under renewed Black Route pressure
All Welsh Assembly Members are being urged to press the First Minister to approve the ‘Black Route’ plans for the M4 Relief Road, says the Freight Transport Association. Construction of the route, according to FTA, would provide a regional economic boost worth hundreds of millions of pounds and tackle the congestion that blights the lives of local citizens. Sally Gilson, Head of Welsh … [Read more...]
Severn Bridges toll booths removal
The Severn Bridge tolls end over the next few days. Booths are being removed on the newer bridge this weekend and next week the tolls on the original crossing will be taken out of service but temporary speed limits will operate until the motorway standard carriageways are fully operational. … [Read more...]
Warning over Severn Bridges closures
The Prince of Wales Bridge Second Severn Crossing will be closed westbound to remove toll booths at 8pm on friday 14 December and reopen on the following monday. The original Severn Bridge and M48 will be the only way across for soccer fans and Christmas shoppers over that weekend and the booths on this section will be removed with a closure from 17 - 19 December but temporary 50mph limits … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 October
Abolition of the Severn Tolls in mid-December is expected to raise the number of vehicles using the two crossings by six million in four years. It will then approach 24M annually and put additional strain on roads west of Newport and the result of a public enquiry into a southern relief road around the city is shortly expected. London taxi firm Addison Lee is planning to introduce autonomous … [Read more...]
Welsh roads get make-over
Gateway roads into Wales will get a make-over. Welsh Transport Secretary Ken Skates today announced a five-year programme to landscape and enhance main roads for visitors. Three routes making up the Wales Way (A487, A470 and A55) as well as entrances into Wales on the M4, M48, A483, A5 and A494 Deeside will benefit. He said, “It will build upon and complement other work already completed … [Read more...]
“Smog thinking” by councils will make emissions worse
Clean Air Zones are unfairly targeting hauliers and pricing trucks off the road and are not the way to reduce emissions, says a coalition of road transport trade bodies. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA), Freight Transport Association (FTA) and National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), are concerned that local authorities are … [Read more...]
Tories demand more clean air charging zones in Wales
Wales’ poor air quality needs to be given greater prioritisation by the Labour Government, according to a senior Welsh Conservative AM. Assembly Member for South Wales Central David Melding has called on the Welsh Government to introduce clean air zones in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham in order to combat the ‘troubling’ reality of poor air quality across Wales. The Shadow Secretary for … [Read more...]