Wales scrap major road projects

The Welsh government have decided to make the environment the priority and scrapped the majority of road-building projects in Wales.

Following a year-long review, the "National Transport Delivery Plan 2022-2027" has been published. It outlines key priorities, and what the government aims to deliver in the future.

Of all the projects placed under review in Wales, only 17 have been given the green light, all of which come with recommendations for modification.

The government have established that for road investment to be justified it must:

• support modal shift and reduce carbon emissions;
• improve safety through small-scale changes;
• adapt to the impacts of climate change;
• provide access and connectivity to jobs and centres of economic activity in a way that supports modal shift.

Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, outlined the following as key aims, to:

• reduce the need for travel by bringing jobs, services, and facilities closer to where people live;
• make sustainable modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transport an attractive option; and
• encourage everyone to make these sustainable transport choices.

He commented, "we recognise that this is a big and difficult change, that it won't happen overnight, and it requires us to work collaboratively, across government and beyond."

The decision has been met with praise by some calling it "world-leading and brave", but not everyone agrees.

Flintshire council leader Ian Roberts has voiced concern, he said "the council is concerned that there are currently no alternative solutions being put forward and no funding for much-needed improvement works to local transport infrastructure".

The National Transport Delivery Plan 2022-2027 can be found here to read in full.