A £13m dual carriageway, which provides a new access route to and from eastern Newport is now open.

The three-mile dual carriageway, forward funded by the Welsh Government, completes a public highway link between the A48 Newport Southern Distributor Road and the M4 at Junction 23A at Magor.

The project also included the reconstruction of a further 2.95km up to Junction 23A of the M4. The completed scheme provides an improved diversion route in the event of any M4 closures between junction 23A at Magor and Junction 24 at Coldra. The previous diversion was much longer with vehicles being routed nearly as far as Chepstow via either the M48 or A48 before being directed back onto the M4.

Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, said: “The development of this dual carriageway will have a positive impact on the economy of south east Wales through improved transport links for business, job creation and inward investment opportunities. It will also improve resilience along a busy stretch of the M4 by providing a much shorter diversion route. All of which will help to transform Newport into an even more vibrant and well-located place to live and work.”

The A4810 also opens up access to St. Modwen’s flagship £1bn Glan Llyn development, at the former Llanwern Steelworks.

Strategically located at the main eastern gateway into South Wales, Glan Llyn, is one of the most significant regeneration projects underway in Wales.

It is set to become a thriving sustainable new community and business hub for Newport, providing a welcome boost to the local economy and attracting further inward investment into the city.

This 600-acre scheme is being developed by St Modwen using a phased approach to deliver 4,000 new homes and 6,000 new jobs over the next 20 years.

When complete, Glan Llyn will provide a range of facilities including a new local centre offering leisure and retail space supported by new education facilities all surrounded by 80 acres of extensive open parkland. The site also houses its own 100 acre business area, Celtic Business Park, providing quality office, industrial and warehouse space. The business park has capacity for circa 1.5 m sq ft of commercial facilities which will be developed over the life of the project, in line with market demand.

A new website, www.glanllyn-newport.co.uk, and concept images for Glan Llyn have been unveiled this week to further bring the site vision to life.

Rupert Joseland, South Wales regional director for St Modwen, said: “The launch of this new road and Glan Llyn vision illustrates our commitment and ambition to deliver a long term sustainable community. A community vision that is already recognised as a major part of Newport City Council’s wider £2bn regeneration programme and we will continue to work with our project partners to realise significant new opportunities to regenerate Newport, Wales’ youngest city.”

"The first phase of housing at Glan Llyn is being delivered by Persimmon as part of a joint venture with St. Modwen and comprises 307 new homes of which 91 properties have already been sold. The properties include a range of two, three and four bedroom homes and town houses.

"Glan Llyn is one of four regeneration schemes we’re delivering currently across South Wales which collectively will bring a predicted £3bn of investment over the next 20-25 years. These schemes include the £1.2bn Coed Darcy development in Neath and the first phase of the £450m Science and Innovation Campus for Swansea University."