What does the Welsh Government expect the average number of vehicles using the Coldra Interchange every day to be under its proposals to close junctions 25, 26 and 27?
The report published alongside my Statement on 6 October does not recommend the closure of three M4 junctions. Rather, one of the options considered in the report involves the full closure of Junction 27 (High Cross) and the closure of the east-facing slip roads at Junctions 26 (Malpas) and 25 (Caerleon), with the remaining parts of those junctions continuing to operate. The report notes that alternative combinations of partial or full closures could also be explored through further study.
The report acknowledges that, if such changes were pursued, some traffic would be expected to reassign to other routes, including the Coldra Interchange. However, the report does not provide a forecast of the expected average daily number of vehicles that would use the Coldra Interchange under this option, as its analysis is strategic and high-level in nature.
Consistent with the commitments made in the technical briefing and in the Senedd, we will undertake meaningful engagement with local authorities, communities and stakeholders before any decisions are taken. Further analysis and detailed traffic modelling will also be undertaken to better understand the impacts on local roads, congestion and journey patterns, as identified in the review.