M4 CORRIDOR AROUND NEWPORT STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR MODIFICATION OF THE 2006 PREFERRED ROUTE FOR A NEW SECTION OF MOTORWAY SOUTH OF NEWPORT July 2014 BLANK PAGE Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route Page Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Comparison of existing and amended Preferred Routes 4 3. Reasons for amending the Preferred Route 5 4. Minister for Economy, Science and Transport’s Decision 6 5. Protection of the Preferred Route 6 6. What happens next 7 Appendices Appendix A – M4 Corridor around Newport – Consultation Participation Report – Executive Summary Appendix B –Existing 2006 Preferred Route (TR111) drawing Appendix C – 2014 Preferred Route (TR111) drawing 1 Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route BLANK PAGE 2 Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route 1. Introduction 1.1 Since the early 1990s, much assessment and consultation has been undertaken to develop a preferred solution to the problems on the motorway around Newport, including motorway options. A TR111 plan was published in 1995 and amended in 1997 and 2006, protecting a corridor for planning purposes. 1.2 In July 2009, a written statement announced that a New M4 was not affordable. The M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures (M4CEM) Programme was thus initiated at that time to create an affordable package of measures to deal with resilience, safety and reliability issues. The M4 CEM Programme culminated in a public consultation held between March and July 2012, which resulted in general support for the phased provision of an additional high quality road to the south of Newport. 1.3 In June 2013 a significant change in the assessment of the affordability of a major enhancement of the M4 around Newport led to the reconsideration of solutions. Appraisal concluded that a new section of 3-lane motorway to the south of Newport mainly following the 2006 protected (TR111) corridor, in addition to complementary measures, should be progressed. This subsequently formed the basis for the development of a draft Plan, which was subject to public consultation between September to December 2013. This resulted in the preferred ‘Black Route’ attracting more statements of preference than two reasonable alternatives and the Do Minimum scenario. 1.4 In July 2014, taking into account social, economic and environmental assessment of the options, the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport decided to adopt the Plan for the M4 Corridor around Newport, of which the main element would be a new section of motorway to the south of Newport, mainly following the 2006 protected (TR111) corridor. Documents have been prepared, which will be published alongside the Plan to summarise the associated assessments and public consultation results. A Statement of Results from the public consultation is provided by virtue of the Executive Summary of the M4 Corridor around Newport Consultation Participation Report at Appendix A. 1.5 A review of the 2006 Preferred Route was carried out to take into account the decision to reclassify the existing M4 between Magor to Castleton as a trunk road and to review the location of the intermediate junctions to take into account development since 2006. 1.6 This document summarises the outcome of the review and explains the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport’s decision to amend the TR111 Preferred Route protection. The proposed amendment to the Preferred Route is provided at Appendix B. 3 Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route 2. Comparison of existing and amended Preferred Routes 2.1 The framework under which all options were appraised was WelTAG, June 2008 (Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance). The guidance is set up around the three pillars of Sustainability; Environment, Economy and Society. WelTAG also incorporates certain criterion in relation to technical and operational feasibility, stakeholder and public acceptability and other risks. 2.2 The framework under which the technical assessment process was undertaken was Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). 2.3 The modification largely follows the 2006 Preferred Route (TR111) protection. Following the publication of ‘the Plan’ for the M4 Corridor around Newport, the Welsh Government has revised the protected route corridor. 2.4 This takes into account the decision as part of the Plan to reclassify the existing M4 between Magor (Junction 23a) and Castleton (Junction 29) as a trunk road. This has enabled the earlier outline designs of the motorway interchanges at Magor/Rogiet (Junction 23) and Castleton, which were protected for planning purposes to be revisited. 2.5 The review of the Magor/Rogiet junction has enabled the provision of a connection between the M4, M48 and the B4245. This would provide improved access to the Severn Tunnel Park & Ride Station, Caldicot and reduce the traffic travelling through Magor and Undy. 2.6 The opportunity has also been taken to review the intermediate junction locations to take into account the ongoing brownfield development at Glan Llyn on the east side of the River Usk and the regeneration proposals for central Newport on the west side of the River Usk. 2.7 The proposed intermediate junction on the east side of the River Usk near Glan Llyn would connect into the upgraded A4810 Steelworks Access Road (SAR) This would provide access to the ongoing housing development and the proposed business park and Llanwern railway station, part of the Cardiff Capital Region Metro proposals. 2.8 The proposed intermediate junction on the west side of the River Usk near the western boundary of Newport Docks would connect into the A48 Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR). This would provide improved access to central Newport and the docks themselves. 4 Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route 3. Reasons for amending the Preferred Route 3.1 WelTAG appraisal, DMRB assessments and results from the public consultation have demonstrated that the Black Route corridor provides the best performing solution to the identified transport related problems on the M4 Corridor around Newport, and would best achieve the objectives of the M4 Corridor around Newport Plan. 3.2 The revised alignment takes into account technical, environmental, social and economic considerations. These are in line with relevant European and UK legislation, as well as other relevant plans, policies and programmes. 3.3 The changes take into account reclassification of the existing M4 between junctions 23A and 29 as a trunk road (as outlined in the Plan). This avoids motorway-to- motorway connections at either end, allowing for a reduction in the scale of the junctions, and generating opportunities for making better use of the existing M4 between these points. 3.4 The changes reduce potential impacts on utilities, which will reduce costs and associated risks. 3.5 The changes reduce potential impacts on the Docks Way Landfill Site, which will reduce costs and associated risks. 3.6 The changes aim to reduce costs by taking into account buildability considerations, risk and a potential construction programme. 3.7 Amending the alignment responds to a junction strategy that aims to maximise economic development opportunities created through the provision of direct links from the new section of motorway to the city centre and to the Eastern Expansion Area. 3.8 The A4810 Steelworks Access Road has been improved to provide better access between the Eastern Expansion Area, the Southern Distributor Road to the west and Magor to the east. There would now be advantages of a link between the new section of motorway and the A4810 in the Glan Llyn area. A central junction would be better located to the west of the river to provide a more direct route into the city centre and to Newport Docks. 3.9 The junction strategy also aims to be compatible with, and complement, proposals for the Cardiff Capital Region Metro and the electrification of the rail network. 3.10 A high level cost estimate for the new section of motorway is around £1bn. Value engineering will be undertaken as part of future scheme development and detailed design, in order to provide further potential cost savings. 5 Welsh Government M4 Corridor around Newport Statement of Reasons for Modification of the 2006 Preferred Route 4. Minister for Economy, Science and Transport’s Decision 4.1 Having carried out a review of the Preferred Route taking into account social, economic and environmental considerations, the Minister has decided to: Withdraw the existing 2006 Preferred Route (TR111), which protected the corridor for planning purposes (see Appendix B); and Publish a new 2014 Preferred Route (TR111) to protect the revised Preferred Route for planning purposes (see Appendix C). 5. Protection of the Preferred Route 5.1 By publishing a new 2014 Preferred Route (TR111), the Minister protects the route under Article 19 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 2012. This means that the Local Planning Authority must refer to the Welsh Government any planning applications on land within 67 metres of the Preferred Route. This provides a means of controlling proposed development within a 134m wide corridor. 5.2 The TR111 plan is available for inspection at the Welsh Government’s Offices in Cathays Park, Cardiff. 5.3 In certain circumstances, any owner having difficulty selling property on the line of the route may apply for blight. If any case meets set criteria, we will purchase the property. 5.4 The protection of a Preferred Route does not commit the Welsh Government to the line of that route. Welsh Government are only committed once the Line Order is made, described in the next section.