Will drivers get a M4 relief present?

Transport and environment minister Sue Essex (pictured) is gearing up to reach a conclusion on one of the most difficult questions in Welsh politics following the publication of the Transport Framework for Wales today.

Supporters of the second M4 - estimated to cost in excess of £340 million - insist it is essential for economic prosperity in Gwent and the rest of South Wales.

But opponents are unwilling to rip six-lanes of concrete through the environmentally important Gwent Levels.

The Transport Frame- work, in the words of Ms Essex, is "the springboard for major decisions". Whether or not to build another M4 is one of these.

The Argus has learned that a decision is likely to be made in conjunction with a strategy on trunk roads, due to be published before Christmas.

However, senior sources have told the Argus that it could slip in to the New Year. The Transport Framework document features two specific targets for the existing M4.

"To improve safety, particularly on the M4 east of Cardiff," is one, "to improve journey time reliability on the M4" another. The M4 relief road is a possible solution to these problems. In January 2000 the Argus exclusively revealed that experts who had conducted an in-depth surveys into dealing with M4 congestion - concluded that only tolls would work as an alternative to building the second M4.

Two months later the Assembly's transport committee all but ruled out ever building the road because of the financial and environmental costs.

In July 2000, Newport council director Brian Adcock urged business leaders to support the case for the M4 relief road saying it was "crucial to the success" of the regional economy.

Since then the issue has gone quiet, but the major re-think of the South-east Wales economy following the Corus job losses has brought it back to life.

Senior sources at the Assembly admit that doing nothing "is not an option" as traffic volume continues to grow on the motorway.