Welsh Government Unveils M4 Junction Closures and Menai Crossing Plans to Tackle Congestion

The Welsh government has announced a series of measures aimed at alleviating severe traffic congestion in both north and south Wales, including potential closures of motorway junctions near Newport and the restart of development for a new crossing over the Menai Strait.

Ministers confirmed that an 18-month study will examine various road-based solutions for the M4 corridor, a process that could involve expanding the Brynglas Tunnels or constructing a new motorway. Additionally, Transport for Wales (TfW) will receive support to accelerate the delivery of new rail stations at Cardiff Parkway, Magor, and Undy.

Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper stated that the government is considering the closure or partial closure of three specific junctions by 2028 to improve traffic flow. The affected locations include junction 27 at High Cross, as well as the east-facing slip roads at junction 26 in Malpas and junction 25 in Caerleon.

However, a review by transport consultants ARUP warned that public acceptance of these closures would likely be low. The report cautioned that while the £14m cost to reduce traffic by an estimated 3% is relatively affordable, it offers limited long-term value and risks redistributing economic costs rather than reducing them, potentially causing increased congestion and noise on alternative local routes.

In north Wales, the government announced it would recommence development work on a third Menai crossing. Although plans were formally scrapped three years ago, officials estimate the project could cost up to £700m and take up to a decade to complete. The current Menai Suspension Bridge remains restricted to vehicles under 7.5 tonnes due to repairs initiated in October 2022, while the Britannia Bridge operates as a single carriageway.

Hooper emphasized that immediate improvements, such as wind deflectors and variable speed limits on existing bridges, would not replace the need for a new crossing. He added that the government is also implementing changes to reduce peak-hour traffic by up to 10%.

The proposals have drawn sharp criticism from political opponents and local residents. Newport council leader Dimitri Batrouni described the junction closures as a “bitter pill,” while leaders from Reform Wales and the Welsh Conservatives argued that moving traffic around rather than building an M4 relief road fails to address the fundamental capacity issues.

Local residents expressed frustration with the chronic gridlock. Wendy Panting, a local resident, described the situation as “horrendous,” noting that congestion now affects all times of the day. Conversely, another resident, Leo Quiqley, expressed skepticism, fearing that an 18-month deliberation period might result in no action at all, similar to previous cancelled projects.

Despite the opposition, the government maintains that these steps are necessary to provide quicker improvements while long-term solutions are evaluated.