Road schemes in Wales could be considered, says Ken Skates

Plans for a third Menai crossing were scrapped

New road schemes that reflect the climate emergency and put Wales at the forefront of design could be considered, the new transport secretary said.

The Welsh government scrapped all new major projects in 2023 on environmental grounds.

But new Transport Secretary Ken Skates said schemes including a third Menai crossing could be considered.

Mr Skates has taken on transport in new leader Vaughan Gething's cabinet.

However, when asked about the possibility of reviving the M4 relief road at Newport on BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement, he said "the opportunity has come and gone" for that.

While opening the door for new roads, he said: "We have to ensure that they reflect the reality of the climate emergency that we face.

"I want Wales to be at the forefront of design and implementation of new schemes."

The "red route" would have run from Northop through to the border with England

All major road-building projects were scrapped in February 2023 over environmental concerns, including a third crossing of the Menai Strait between Anglesey and the mainland, and the controversial "red route" in Flintshire.

Mr Skates said: "We haven't stopped building roads, but we do need to deal with the criteria for new road building schemes which states that you can't build them if it leads to extra capacity.

"That's caused difficulty in terms of considering schemes, and interpretation."

Mr Skates, the MS for Clwyd South, insisted any new roads would need to be "better" than those built in the past and dependent on available funding.

When asked about the possibility of plans for an M4 relief road in Newport being revived, Mr Skates said "the opportunity has come and gone".

In 2019, proposals were axed because of its cost and impact on the environment.

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"I just can't see that happening. The cost would just be astronomical," Mr Skates said.

"Given where we are with the economy, that road scheme would be far in excess of the estimates back when it was proposed, and I just do not see the finance available."

There has long been talk of an M4 relief road to ease congestion around Newport

However, Mr Skates said he was "very open" to discussions with the UK government over funding for schemes.

On the same programme, Welsh Secretary David TC Davies called Mr Skates' words "promising".

He said: "I'm trying to work out whether the new road ban is in place or not.

"I'm not sure if the Welsh government's objection [to the M4 relief road] is on the grounds of principle, or on the grounds of cost.

"If it is on the grounds of cost, then a discussion is definitely worth having."

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