Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
This Statement provides an update on the M4 at Port Talbot and specifically the trial part-time closure of the westbound on-slip at junction 41.
As part of our ongoing review, I met with David Rees AM, Stephen Kinnock MP and a member of the public from Port Talbot recently, to seek their views on the impact of the potential closure of the slip roads and to better understand the concerns raised by the local residents and businesses.
Having considered the issue fully, including the implications of the uncertainties surrounding TATA Steel and the impact of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, I have decided not to proceed with further consideration of slip road closures at Port Talbot at this time.
However, I recognise that improvement of strategic traffic flow is of great importance to economic prosperity in South Wales. Therefore, I have asked my officials to engage with Swansea Bay City Region to seek their involvement in a wider study of the M4 corridor around Swansea that is currently being developed.
This study will incorporate the valuable data obtained through the trial slip road closure, and will seek to develop options for improvement of the M4 which will accommodate the encouraging growth of the Swansea Bay City Region.