Factors for and against concreting over the Gwent Levels

I agree with what Peter Black and Jac o' the North - in a rare spirit of unanimity - have had to say about Mark Drakeford's decision yesterday.

This "venomous thing not to be trusted"* would just add that, ecology apart, the threat of Brexit must have been a factor in assessing the economic benefits of the relief road. An Irish Times report last year stated that:

almost 80 per cent of Irish-registered HGVs heading for the Continent pass through Welsh ports, the vast majority via Holyhead. Yet as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union – or more precisely, Theresa May’s interpretation of the implications of the Leave vote – all of this is under threat.

Yes, Holyhead is a major loser, but ports here in the south-west also dip out, with a consequent effect on goods traffic on the M4.

Apart from Brexit, decisions by government could have been designed to throw more traffic on to the M4. There was the axing of the electrification of the main line west of Cardiff, incidentally losing the opportunity to reduce pollution by diesel engines. (Note that this reversal of a coalition decision took place when Conservatives ruled alone, and just after a general election which its announcement might have influenced.) The elimination of one of the most convenient interchanges in England and Wales, the bus stands at Cardiff Central station, still to be replaced, is another factor.

 Jac queries the need for a commission to take things forward. Certainly, AMs must already know the key features of a healthy economic future for Wales. Jac's points are:

• Let us hope that this unexpected decision heralds a new era of development and investment spread across the country, thereby obviating the need for an M4 ‘relief road’.
• Presumably the announcement will be accompanied by promises to invest in public transport. Again, I urge that thinking goes beyond the Cardiff region, because there is a country out there.
• Nothing would prove this administration’s commitment to both Wales beyond Cardiff and public transport better than a west coast railway line from Carmarthen to Bangor.
• Finally, this decision might deter commuters from Bristol and elsewhere moving into Wales for cheaper housing – have you thought about that? Well, have you!

It would be interesting to see the traffic figures for the Severn bridges.  I would bet that commuter traffic predominates, with traffic to Heathrow not that far behind.

We do need better north-south links within Wales. I am normally the last person to argue for more expenditure on roads, but the amounts spent on the A470 are pitiful compared to the sums being discussed for motorway improvements in the south. Rail journey times speak for themselves. There need to be more direct and better links with the English North-West (Transport for Wales has made a start) and Midlands. Government at both ends of the motorway must lose its obsession with the London-Cardiff axis.

  * Jac's characterisation of Liberal Democrats. Some might take a more objective view of Kirsty Williams' politically suicidal decision to take the opportunity to improve Welsh education at all levels