£114m Welsh Government spend ‘salt in the wounds’ of road users

Shadow Minister for Business, Economy and Transport, Russell George AM, has tackled Welsh Transport Minister Ken Skates over the lack of progress in improving the M4.

He asked Mr Skates to explain the timetable surrounding the new M4 expert commission, following the decision to abandon plans for a relief road.

Mr Russell’s question in the Welsh Parliament chamber followed the news today that the Welsh Government has spent £114m on the binned project.

Commenting outside the chamber, he said:

“The news that taxpayers have forked out £114m in developing proposals for an M4 relief road project that has now been scrapped is infuriating.

“This money has come out of the pockets of the people who are already frustrated by yesterday’s announcement, and this news is only rubbing salt in their wounds.

“We are back to square one with yet another expert commission appointed to look at alternatives to the Welsh Government’s own proposals, after £114m of Welsh tax payers’ money has been spent on work leading up to the two-year independent inquiry.