On 22 June 2021, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS, announced that there would be a pause on all new road schemes while the existing pipeline of projects is reviewed.
The context for the review is that Welsh Government have declared a climate emergency with an aim of reducing CO2 emissions across the whole economy by 63% by 2030.
Net Zero Wales also intends to increase the proportion of trips by sustainable modes (public transport and active travel) to 35% by 2025 and 39% by 2030.
Transport emissions accounted for 17% of Welsh CO2 emissions.
A roads review panel was formed - made up of climate and transport experts - to look at the various highway schemes.
It has now released a list of more than 50 proposals in Wales that it will review.
The panel has already recommended the cancellation of a bypass project in Llanbedr, Gwynedd, and the proposal to remove roundabouts on the A55.
Here are the other road projects that the panel will look at in the coming months.
Strategic road network |
South West Wales |
M4: J43-47 Swansea |
M4: J38-43 Port Talbot |
A487: Fishguard to Cardigan |
A40: Carmarthen to Llandeilo Corridor |
A40: Carmarthen to St Clears |
A4076: Haverfordwest |
A48: Cross Hands to Pensarn Corridor |
A48: Nantycaws Junction Improvement |
South East Wales |
M4: J35-38 Bridgend |
A4042: Southern Corridor, Pontypool to M4 |
Cardiff Eastern Transport Corridor |
M4: Junction J32-35 and A470 Coryton to Merthyr Corridors Various Interventions |
Mid Wales |
A487: Dorglwyd Comins Coch |
A40: Millbrook Farm, Brecon |
A44: Llangurig to Aberystwyth |
A470: Alltmawr (Chapel House Farm) |
A470: Caersws |
A470: Llangurig |
A470: Llanidloes |
A470: Pont y Bat (Felinfach) |
A487: Llanrhystyd |
A487: Machynlleth |
A494: Maesgammedd Road Junction Improvement |
A487: North of Aberarth |
A487: Rhiwstaerdywyll |
North Wales |
A494: Lon Fawr Ruthin/ Corwen Road |
A487: Llwyn Mafon |
A493: Wrexham Bypass Junction 3 to 6 |
A5/ A483: Halton Roundabout |
A55: At-grade crossing review |
A55: J33b Ewloe to A494 Queensferry interchange corridor study |
A55: Junction 23 to 24 Corridor Study |
A55: Junction 24 to 29 Corridor Study |
A55: Junction 30 to 32a Corridor Study |
A55: Junctions 15 and 16 |
A55: Slow moving vehicle over taking restrictions |
A55 / A494: Network Resilience Study |
Flintshire Corridor Improvement |
Third Menai Crossing |
Economic development |
Warren Hall, Flintshire (north Wales) |
Llanfrechfa, Cwmbran (south east Wales) |
Celtic Business Park, Fishguard (south eest Wales) |
Local Transport Fund / Resilience Road Fund |
South West Wales |
Llanelli Urban and Coastal Belt Network Improvements |
Carmarthenshire Strategic Public Transport Corridors |
Cymmer Carriageway Improvements, Neath Port Talbot |
Newgale Coastal Adaptation and A487 diversion scheme |
Northern City Link Sustainable Transport Corridor, Swansea |
South East Wales |
Aberbeeg Road, Blaenau Gwent |
A4119: Coed Ely Dualling |
A469: Troedrhiwfuwch |
Cynon Gateway North |
Llanharan Bypass |
Severn Tunnel Junction Access |
North Wales |
North Wales Metro: Abergele Town Centre Congestion Improvement |
North Wales Metro: Llandudno Congestion Improvement Phase 4 |
Other |
Chester-Broughton Growth Corridor (north Wales) |
