Road building projects are scrapped; All major road building projects in Wales have been shelve due to environmental concerns.
There will be no plans for a third Menai Bridge, as well as the controversial ‘red route’ in Flintshire.
The move is part of the Welsh Government’s National Transport Strategy and follows a year-long review.
Environmentalists called it “world-leading and bold”, but some in the construction industry warned the announcement could put jobs at risk.
It comes as the Welsh Government is accuse of putting buses at risk. The First Minister says funding for the industry is yet to be guarante after daylight.
The Welsh Government has said all future roads must meet strict criteria, meaning. They must not increase emissions, increase the number of cars on the road, cause higher speeds and emissions. Must not adversely affect… sustainability.
Flintshire Council leader Ian Roberts was disappoint by the decision.
“The council is concerned that there are currently no alternatives. No funding for much-needed improvements to local transport infrastructure,” he said.
Road building projects are scrap; Ken Skates says Welsh Government decisions on northern roads must be made locally. Clwyd South Senedd member and former Welsh transport minister said evidence was need on how transport in North Wales would be improve.
“I strongly believe that decisions about roads. Buses, rail and mass transit are best made at the local level,” he said.
“It’s time for change in the north, starting with our highways.”
A second Labor member of the Senedd questioned his party’s actions.
Alun Davies of Blaenau Gwent called for more “collective thinking” from ministers.
“If we’re going to take away services from people based on distance. What we need to do is provide public transport systems that can access those services. Which hasn’t happened yet,” he added.
Road building projects are scrapped; Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters told the Senedd that the policies of the past 70 years are not working.
“We’re not going to get to net zero unless. We stop doing the same thing over and over again,” he said.
“None of these things are easy, but neither are the alternatives.”
According to him, by 2050 to reach net zero, the Welsh Government must be “ready to follow”.
The deputy minister insist that new roads would be build in the future. But said the government was “raising the bar” to ensure any new road was “only fit for traffic”.
In 2021, the Welsh Government announced that it was carrying out a road review.
A panel of experts, led by transportation consultant Lynn Sloman, reviewe 59 road projects. Made recommendations on which projects should continue, which should be abandone. Which should be specifically review.
Of these, 15 will continue, but all others have been reject or will be reconsider.
However, these and all future projects must meet strict new construction criteria.
The Welsh Government will not consider new projects unless they reduce emissions. Support the transition to public transport, walking and cycling, improve safety through small changes. Help the Welsh Government mitigate the effects of climate change.
They must also provide links to jobs and economic components in a way. That maximizes the use of public transport, walking and cycling.
Which roads will not go ahead?
The controversial Red Road in Flintshire will not go as planned. However, there will be improvements to the A494 at Mount Aston.
Plans for a third Artes crossing between Anglesey and the mainland have been change to rethink how to improve congestion and deal with the current bridges, as well as encourage people to use alternative means of travel.
Improvements to the A483 around Wrexham will also be remove and a review will be carry out to consider a ‘model’ project to reduce car use.
Which projects will go ahead?
There will be only minor road improvements.
The biggest of these is the A4042 from Pontypool to the M4 via Torfaen, which has been suspend for this review.
Similarly, the A487 between Fishguard and Cardigan will continue to improve, as will the A4076 Haverfordwest.
What was the effect?
Environmentalists welcomed the announcement, calling it “world-leading”.
Haf Elgar, from Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “We saw the review as an experiment with the Welsh Government.
“Will they be brave enough to walk the walk and not say we have a climate crisis but actually take those tough decisions and really change our future in Wales?”
“I think we’re seeing that today.”
“I think this is a new beginning where we see real change that will lead us to a greener and healthier future.”
Road building projects are scrapped; But builders are concerned about job cuts and are calling on the Welsh Government to provide clarity on future infrastructure investment. Ed Evans, director of the Civil Engineering Association, said: “This is a big announcement. this.” this.
“What we’ve just experience has create some uncertainty, but we can start to realize investment in infrastructure, whether it’s protecting what we have or, for example, new investment in energy, and then that’s going to be a big help in creating jobs.” . , businesses and communities are protect.”
Christine Boston, from transport agency Sustrans, added: “If we are to be strong enough to meet the challenges of the climate crisis, we must become a multimodal transport movement.
“If we want people to walk, drive or cycle sideways using public transport, we need to continue to invest in improving the infrastructure that supports it.
Welsh Tory leader Andrew RT Davies said on Twitter: “Labor ministers are not building new roads in Wales because they will ‘create demand’.”
“Because bringing more visitors to Wales and more money into our economy is clearly a bad thing.
Plaid Cymru’s Delyth Jewell said many areas where road projects have been stall have previously been underserve by public transport.
“We certainly have to change that over-reliance on cars, but it won’t happen overnight. I’m most concerned about the timing of the transition,” he said.
He said a halt to road construction without guaranteed investment in public transport could mean longer journeys, higher fares and reduced access to essential services.
Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds welcomed the announcement.
He said: “For too long we have spent millions on new roads without improving road safety or congestion.”
