Local leader renews call for south‑of‑city M4 route
The leader of Newport council has publicly challenged the Welsh Government over what he says was an unkept financial pledge following the cancellation of the M4 relief road, and urged the new administration to produce a fresh plan for a toll‑free route to the south of the city.
Dimitri Batrouni said the city was promised bn when the previous "black route" scheme was abandoned, but that Newport has not received anything approaching that sum. He told reporters a new southward diversion of the M4 is needed to tackle the well‑documented congestion on the existing corridor.
"When Mark Drakeford cancelled the M4 Relief Road, Mark Drakeford promised £1bn for the city, but we had nowhere near that."
Mr Batrouni addressed the issue as Rhun ap Iorwerth leads a Plaid‑SNP Welsh Government following the most recent Senedd election. He said the new administration should commit to a plan that avoids tolls for road users while relieving traffic pressure through Newport.
Background: what was promised and what followed
The so‑called "black route" was a proposed relief road that had an estimated cost of around £1.6bn when it was shelved. At the time of cancellation the then First Minister Mark Drakeford told a committee in 2019 that £1bn would be made available to find solutions to congestion around Newport. He said the money would be available to the independent review chaired by Lord Burns, who was to have "the first call" on that funding.
Lord Burns's eventual recommendations focused on rail improvements, including the proposal for five new stations between Cardiff and Newport, with named sites in Newport West, Llanwern and Somerton. To date, those stations remain proposals rather than delivered projects.
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Cancellation of M4 relief road; Mark Drakeford pledged £1bn for solutions |
| Post‑Burns review | Recommendation for five new stations, including three in the Newport area |
| 2026 | Council leader says pledge not delivered; calls for new south‑of‑city toll‑free route |
Funding questions and the role of Westminster
Delivering the Burns stations or any major transport intervention is dependent on sufficient funding. The current UK Government spending review period does not contain dedicated cash to build the proposed stations, according to assessments referenced in public reporting. Ahead of the recent Senedd election, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged £14bn for rail investment in Wales, but that commitment was political rather than a Treasury ring‑fenced guarantee.
Attention will now turn to the next UK spending review as a test of whether more central government funding can be secured for Welsh rail and wider transport commitments. Commentators have suggested the new prime minister, Andy Burnham, will face pressure to demonstrate that additional Treasury support can be found to enable projects highlighted by Lord Burns to proceed.
What this means for Newport
For residents, the debate is not only about large sums on paper but about daily journeys. Traffic congestion on the current M4 has long been a source of frustration for motorists, haulage firms and local businesses. A south‑of‑city, toll‑free route — if properly planned and funded — could bring relief, but only if funding is prioritised and translated into deliverable schemes.
- Accountability: Newport council wants clarity on where the £1bn pledge stands and how any funds will be allocated.
- Delivery: Proposed railway stations remain unbuilt without secured funding from either Cardiff or Westminster.
- Next steps: The upcoming spending review will be pivotal for whether finances become available for the Burns recommendations or a new road scheme.
The new Welsh Government has yet to set out detailed plans in response to the council leader’s call. For Newport, the issue remains a live political and practical challenge — balancing the city’s long‑running traffic problems with the realities of funding and planning at both devolved and UK levels.
