Welsh Labour opposes M4 junction closures in Newport

Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates has labeled proposed M4 junction closures around Newport as “disastrous.” The proposals, put forward by Plaid Cymru, include the full closure of Junction 27 at High Cross and partial closures of east-facing slip roads at Junction 26 in Malpas and Junction 25 in Caerleon.

Skates and Welsh Labour MS Jayne Bryant met with local business owners and taxi drivers to discuss concerns that these closures would divert heavy traffic onto Newport’s already congested local roads. Skates noted that successive governments have failed to address M4 congestion, which he claims has hindered the Welsh economy and caused environmental damage. He stated that the Welsh Labour Group would support a relief road if desired by the people of southeast Wales.

Political opponents have criticized the party's stance. Plaid Cymru highlighted that Welsh Labour previously scrapped an M4 relief road project while in power in 2019. While a motion describing current congestion management plans as “inadequate” passed with cross-party support from Reform UK and the Welsh Conservatives, critics from both sides accused Labour of hypocrisy regarding their previous decisions and their current calls for infrastructure solutions.