Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ97538

My Officials and I hold regular meetings with Road Haulage Association and Logistics UK, and we recognise some of the challenges they are facing around congestion. We know that road congestion costs our economy, but we must any new road building or improvements with our climate change responsibilities.

On 17th July 2025 I published a Written Statement updating on our plans for the road network. The £20bn strategic road network is the Welsh Governments’ most valuable infrastructure asset. Continued investment in the road network is a key part of achieving an accessible, sustainable efficient and resilient transport system.

The Welsh Government has endorsed the recommendations of the Southeast Wales Transport Commission. Tackling congestion on the M4 around Newport remains a priority of this Government, whilst also being mindful of the need for decarbonisation, improved air quality, and transport equity. As a result of this the UK Government has backed plans for five new stations in Cardiff, Newport and Monmouthshire, as well as upgrades in north Wales, with £348m to be spent between 2026 and 2030. These investments provide alternatives to the M4 and other routes freeing up space for road freight. The Welsh Government will also be commissioning a trunk road assessment, this will include the M4 around Newport and the wider length of the M4, A494, and A55, including the Flintshire corridor. Local roads are the responsibility of local authorities. The four Corporate Joint Committees are producing Regional Transport Plans, which set out their priorities for improving transport in each region of Wales.

The Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to support modal shift of freight from road to more sustainable forms of transport, including via rail which reduces congestion on our roads. The funding provided by our Mode-Shift Revenue Support Scheme directly contributes to the WG’s priorities of reducing congestion; decarbonisation by reducing the impact of CO2 emissions generated by road transport; and, tackling poor air quality by offsetting the additional cost of moving goods by rail when compared to road thereby, encouraging modal shift to rail.