Twice-a-day trial closure of Port Talbot M4 junction starts

The controversial twice-a-day closure of a slip road on the M4 near Neath Port Talbot has begun.

Junction 41 of the westbound motorway shut for the first time on Monday as part of an eight-month experiment aimed at reducing congestion.

Aberavon AM David Rees tweeted: "At junction 41 as they close westbound entry slip road. Definitely some confusion especially with HGVs".

The westbound on-slip will now close from 07:00-09:00 and 16:00-18:00 BST.

The part-time closures were agreed following a meeting between the Welsh government, Neath Port Talbot council, representatives from Port Talbot Chamber of Trade, the local community and Business Wales.

Both the local MP and AM have voiced concern about the impact of the closures on the town both now and when schools resume after the summer break.

Ministers dropped plans to close the eastbound slip road after opposition from local businesses and politicians.

Aberavon MP Hywel Francis said: "We will closely monitor the impact on local residents as we continue to raise our opposition of this proposal from the Welsh government."

Cameras

Mr Rees said: "We have seen the public come behind our campaign against the proposal. The public's voice must continue to be heard as this trial closure is evaluated."

In a separate move, average speed cameras are being installed on that section of the M4 where a fixed camera was removed eight years ago because it was causing tailbacks.

They will be installed later this summer within the 50mph zone on the westbound side of the motorway around Port Talbot.