This Council opposes any plans by the Welsh Government to close any M4 motorway junction within the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot and in particular Junction 41 and would inform the Welsh Government accordingly.
This Council believes that the previous experimental closure of Junction 41 was damaging economically and environmentally to Port Talbot, the surrounding area and the County Borough.
The Council calls upon the Welsh Government to work with the
Council to explore methods of reducing our own carbon footprint through such
projects as the FLEXIS collaboration.
Minutes:
Council
considered the following Notice of Motion:-
‘This Council opposes any
plans by the Welsh Government to close any M4 motorway junction within the
County Borough of Neath Port Talbot and in particular Junction 41 and would inform
the Welsh Government accordingly.
This Council believes that
the previous experimental closure of Junction 41 was damaging economically and
environmentally to Port Talbot, the surrounding area and the County Borough.
The Council calls upon the Welsh
Government to work with the Council to explore methods of reducing our own
carbon footprint through such projects as the FLEXIS collaboration.’
Members of Council expressed
concern that the Welsh Government’s proposals to close Junction 41 of the M4 and
to reduce the speed of traffic along the M4 would not only increase pollution
levels in Port Talbot but would also cause access problems between Port Talbot
and the valleys, including the Rhondda Valley.
It was noted that the proposals were as a result of a theoretical piece
of work carried out by Client Earth. Members suggested that the closure would
also lead to vehicles being forced to use the A48. It was agreed that the proposals would
adversely affect residents, those working in Port Talbot, those with businesses
in the area and those wishing to shop in the area.
Members suggested that a case
for electrification of the rail lines be put forward as this would reduce
emissions. In addition the reduction in
the support grant from Welsh Government had resulted in a decrease in bus
services. The purchasing of lower emission vehicles (electric) by the Authority
was also discussed.
RESOLVED: That the
Chief Executive write to Welsh Government outlining the Authority’s concerns at
its proposals in relation to the M4 motorway.