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Saw this today on the South Wales Argus website.
"LANE closures along an 11-mile long stretch on the M4 have sparked fears Gwent roads will be gridlocked for the next year.
The Assembly has issued a new order to stop all vehicles, except for the emergency services, from travelling along certain parts of the 11 mile stretch between Junction 23A Magor and Junction 28 Tredegar Park.
The restrictions will operate 24 hours a day but they are expected to be applied intermittently during off-peak times between 8pm and 6am.
These measures came into effect from last night and could last until August 27 next year.
David Russ, managing director of South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said he was horrified and appalled by the order.
He said: “This will send a very clear message to potential inward investors that Wales is not open for business.”
He said even though he recognises that the order only applies at certain times, he is horrified by the impact it will have on Newport city centre.
He added: “From our Chamber’s perspective I am not aware of businesses being consulted about the impact of this on them.
“They have taken the decision in isolation.”
Any vehicles wider than 1.98m will not be able to use the outside or middle lanes of the motorway eastbound and westbound from near the Coldra to Tredegar Park.
The order outlines 36 alternative routes, including the B4245 Newport Road after leaving the motorway at Magor and then on to the A48 Chepstow Road heading towards Newport before rejoining the motorway at Junction 24, the Coldra.
This work is part of the Assembly’s plan to install a £7 million variable speed limit system on the M4 and improve safety.
This involves installing electronic signs to allow the speed limit to be varied to control motorway traffic.
A 50 mph speed restriction already applies on parts of the M4 and will continue until the work is completed.
An Assembly spokesman said: “This is one of the busiest sections of the M4 and traffic flows exceed capacity but we are committed to reducing congestion and improving safety on this stretch of road.
“By controlling the speed of traffic at times of heavy flow this system will reduce congestion and accidents associated with heavy braking and improve air quality.”
This new order also comes less than two months after the Assembly announced it was scrapping the proposed £1 billion M4 relief road as part of its National Transport Plan"
"LANE closures along an 11-mile long stretch on the M4 have sparked fears Gwent roads will be gridlocked for the next year.
The Assembly has issued a new order to stop all vehicles, except for the emergency services, from travelling along certain parts of the 11 mile stretch between Junction 23A Magor and Junction 28 Tredegar Park.
The restrictions will operate 24 hours a day but they are expected to be applied intermittently during off-peak times between 8pm and 6am.
These measures came into effect from last night and could last until August 27 next year.
David Russ, managing director of South Wales Chamber of Commerce, said he was horrified and appalled by the order.
He said: “This will send a very clear message to potential inward investors that Wales is not open for business.”
He said even though he recognises that the order only applies at certain times, he is horrified by the impact it will have on Newport city centre.
He added: “From our Chamber’s perspective I am not aware of businesses being consulted about the impact of this on them.
“They have taken the decision in isolation.”
Any vehicles wider than 1.98m will not be able to use the outside or middle lanes of the motorway eastbound and westbound from near the Coldra to Tredegar Park.
The order outlines 36 alternative routes, including the B4245 Newport Road after leaving the motorway at Magor and then on to the A48 Chepstow Road heading towards Newport before rejoining the motorway at Junction 24, the Coldra.
This work is part of the Assembly’s plan to install a £7 million variable speed limit system on the M4 and improve safety.
This involves installing electronic signs to allow the speed limit to be varied to control motorway traffic.
A 50 mph speed restriction already applies on parts of the M4 and will continue until the work is completed.
An Assembly spokesman said: “This is one of the busiest sections of the M4 and traffic flows exceed capacity but we are committed to reducing congestion and improving safety on this stretch of road.
“By controlling the speed of traffic at times of heavy flow this system will reduce congestion and accidents associated with heavy braking and improve air quality.”
This new order also comes less than two months after the Assembly announced it was scrapping the proposed £1 billion M4 relief road as part of its National Transport Plan"
