M4 CORRIDOR AROUND NEWPORT Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives Report March 2017 OBJECTORS’ SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES The Welsh Government published draft Orders for the M4 Corridor around Newport (the Scheme) in March 2016. Objections have been received and will be heard at the Public Local Inquiry which commenced on 28 February 2017 at Newport Lysaght Institute. Suggested alternatives to the Scheme have been received by the Welsh Government. While the Welsh Government is not promoting or supporting these suggested alternatives, it is obliged to consider them so that the Inspectors conducting the Public Local Inquiry can report on their relative merits in their report to the Welsh Ministers. The Inspectors cannot recommend that a suggested alternative be adopted, but they could advise the Welsh Ministers that one or more of them warrant further investigation. In such an event, and if such investigations were undertaken that conclude an alternative should be adopted, it would then need to be the subject of new statutory draft Orders which themselves would be open to formal objection. One or more of the suggested alternatives might, if adopted, affect your property and/or interest. This Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives Report shows details of the suggested alternatives. Anyone wishing to object to or support any of the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives should do so by 10 May 2017 by writing to Orders Branch at the address below, or by email [email protected]. Orders Branch Department for Economy and Infrastructure Welsh Government Offices Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ All comments received will be passed to the Inspectors for consideration. The Inspectors may be required to disclose the comments and the identity of the authors at the Inquiry, unless there are special reasons to the contrary. A copy of all correspondence is normally kept in the Public Local Inquiry library and is open to public inspection. Copies of this report can be obtained from the locations listed below, by contacting Orders Branch at the address given, by telephone 0845 600 2664, or by email [email protected]. Electronic copies of the full report can be obtained by visiting the Public Local Inquiry website http://m4-newport.persona-pi.com. Orders Branch Monmouthshire County Council Department for Economy and Infrastructure Innovation House Welsh Government Offices Wales 1 Business Park Cathays Park Magor NP26 3DG Cardiff CF10 3NQ Newport City Council Monmouthshire County Council Civic Centre County Hall Godfrey Road Rhadyr Newport NP20 4UR Usk NP15 1GA Newport Central Library Newport Lysaght Institute John Frost Square (during Public Local Inquiry) Newport NP20 1PA Orb Drive Newport NP19 0HE 2 The Welsh Government is not promoting the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES The Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives included within this report are listed below and highlighted in different colours for ease of reference. The approximate routing of each suggested alternative is shown on the centrefold drawing of this report. Published Scheme The Welsh Government’s Scheme is included for reference Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 1 Blue Route Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 2 Blue Route (Phase 1) Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 3 Green Route (West of Wilcrick Route and M48 / B4245 Connection) Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 4 North and West of Wilcrick Route Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 5 Move Part of J23 between Rogiet and Caldicot Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 6 M48 / B4245 / Severn Tunnel Junction Station Connection Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 7 Direct Access to Severn Tunnel Junction Station from J23 Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives 8-11 Connections to J23A Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 12 Move Main Alignment South at Meadows Road Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives 13-16 Northern Dock Routes 1-4 Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 17 Remove Docks Way Junction and Link Several alternatives that have been previously considered as part of earlier development work have also been suggested by objectors. They are included within this report to allow presentation and appraisal of all suggested alternatives within one accessible document: Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 18 Free-flow J23 and Connection at J23A (2006 TR111 Route) Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 19 Online Widening of Existing M4 including Brynglas Tunnels Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 20 Tunnel from Magor to Castleton Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 21 South of Magor Route Objectors’ Suggested Alternative 22 Closure of Existing M4 Junctions Please note that The Welsh Government is not promoting the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives The Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives have been appraised against the Welsh Government’s criteria as set out in WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance). This objective led approach considers the ability of each suggested alternative to meet the Scheme Specific Objectives, and appraises it against the Welsh Government’s three impact areas (Economy, Environment and Social), public and stakeholder acceptability, technical and operational feasibility, financial affordability and deliverability, and risks. The implementation of any suggested alternative may require new statutory processes and new environmental, ecological and engineering surveys to be undertaken, introducing delay and additional costs and potential funding implications. The Welsh Government is not promoting the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives 3 APPRAISAL SUMMARY TABLE Appraisal summary tables and key points are enclosed for each of the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives. The Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives included within this report are for amendments and additions at individual locations along the Published Scheme. The appraisals undertaken consider their impacts both local to where they are proposed and in the context of the whole scheme. The Scheme Specific Objectives are: Objective 1. Safer, easier and more reliable travel east-west in South Wales. Objective 2. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. Objective 3. More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and strategic journeys around Newport. Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport Objective 4. networks. Objective 5. More reliable journey times along the M4 Corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport Objective 6. Corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. Objective 7. Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. Objective 8. Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. Objective 9. Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 Corridor. Objective 10. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre (km). Objective 11. Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. Objective 12. An M4 attractive for strategic journeys that discourages local traffic use. Objective 13. Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. Objective 14. Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. Objective 15. A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. The Welsh Government’s impact areas for WelTAG appraisal are Economy, Environment and Social. Economy: The economic appraisal considers: Project Cost Estimate The cost estimate for the project is based upon Quarter 4 2015 prices and excludes VAT and inflation. Benefit to Cost Ratio The economic performance is assessed by comparing the costs with the (BCR) benefits that would be achieved. The costs include construction, future maintenance and a cost estimate of the statutory procedures, including Public Local Inquiry. 4 The Welsh Government is not promoting the Objectors’ Suggested Alternatives Transport Economic Appraisal of the effects ordinarily captured by standard cost-benefit Efficiency (TEE) analysis – the effects within the transport sector. Economic Activity & Appraisal of the effects on the local, regional and Welsh economy – the Location Impacts (EALIs) effects beyond the transport sector. Environment: The environmental appraisal considers: Noise Appraisal of the effect on noise. Local air quality Appraisal of the effect on local air quality. Greenhouse gas Appraisal of the effect on greenhouse gas emissions. emissions Landscape & townscape The number of properties experiencing an improvement, deterioration or neutral effect to views, and an impact appraisal of the changes to the landscape, as a result of the proposal. Biodiversity The creation, enhancement, loss, damage or disturbance of fauna and flora species, ecosystems and habitats. Heritage Appraisal of the effects on cultural heritage sites. Water environment The effect on water quality including changes likely to occur to watercourses. Soils The effect on soils, vegetation, general habitats, agriculture and horticultural practices. Social: The social appraisal considers: Transport safety The change in personal injury accidents. Personal security The risk to and fear for personal safety. Permeability The ease of travel by non-motorised modes. Physical fitness The health benefits associated with active travel. Social inclusion The relative ease with which people can get