MIKE HEDGES AM RAISES QUESTIONS RE M4 CONGESTION BETWEEN JCNS 44 AND 46

MIKE HEDGES AM RAISES QUESTIONS RE M4 CONGESTION BETWEEN JCNS 44 AND 46

Speaking from the Assembly, Swansea East AM, Mike Hedges AM said…. ‘ Issues to do with the M4 in the north part of my constituency have been a major source of concern for residents in the area for some time, and as I use this stretch of the M4 4-5 times a week I am well aware of the issues and indeed, share the concerns.

Congestion is an almost daily occurrence at rush hour and there have been any number of accidents, some quite serious. The situation is worse in poor weather. Poor air quality has also been an issue in the area, with the East side of Swansea having some of the highest asthma rates.

I am pleased that the Welsh Government is in the process of reviewing these issues.

With regards traffic coming from West Wales, currently signs indicate traffic going to Swansea Enterprise Park leave the M4 at Jcn 46 and travel along the A48 going past the DVLA and through Morriston Cross, resulting in many HGV’s and delivery vehicles driving through what is essentially a residential street and a busy shopping area. It would make more sense for these vehicles to be routed to Jcn 45 and then down the A4067 dual carriage way. These roads are better suited to these types of vehicles. I am pleased that the Minister is going to consider this request.’

Mike Hedges AM – 5. Will the Minister make a statement regarding Welsh Government efforts to reduce traffic congestion between junctions 44 and 46 of the M4? OAQ54936

Ken Skates AM 14:17:47

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Alongside considering improving connectivity across the region, a Welsh Government transport appraisal guidance stage 1 study has identified improvement options between junctions 43 and 47 of the M4. Solutions will be progressed through a stage 2 study, aiming to tackle congestion, safety, poor journey times and also poor air quality.87

Mike Hedges AM 14:18:11

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When traffic problems on the M4 are discussed, the problems of traffic jams during peak periods between junctions 44 and 46 tend to be overlooked, though not by those of us travelling along those roads. The reasons for traffic hold-ups include vehicles changing lanes and vehicles entering and leaving the motorway, the same reason that we have hold-ups everywhere else on the M4. I’m requesting signage on the M4 to direct traffic accessing the enterprise zone to use junction 45 rather than junction 46, because junction 45 is a superior junction and it does have the advantage that traffic, on doing that, does not have to slow down on the motorway in order to join the roundabout. 88

Ken Skates AM 14:18:58

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Can I thank Mike Hedges for his suggestion? I will certainly relay the suggestion of better signage at junction 45 to officials. As I’ve already said, the WelTAG stage 2 study between junctions 43 and 47 will determine the best solutions to tackle congestion, to tackle safety and poor journey times. Clearly, if for safety reasons or improved journey times it’s deemed that better signage should be installed where the Member has suggested, then we will respond positively.