M4 junctions closure postponed in bid to explore other options
CONTROVERSIAL proposals to close several junctions on the M4 at Port Talbot have been postponed.
The Welsh Government is looking at ways to reduce the risk of accidents and ease pressure on the increasingly-congested motorway between Junctions 38 and 42.
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Aberavon AM David Rees
Options to improve traffic and prevent accidents include the closure or partial closure of junctions 40 and 41 at Taibach and Pentyla and the installation of an average speed camera.
Preliminary consultation has already taken place with Neath Port Talbot Council, South Wales Police, Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service and South East, Central and West Wales Ambulance.
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Public consultation had been planned for the end of the summer but now it has been confirmed that the proposals have been put back and further options are being considered.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: "The consultation looking into improving traffic flow on the M4 near Port Talbot has been postponed until the end of the year so further options into easing congestion around this section of the M4 can be considered.
"The works that will flow from the consultation will be defined once it has been completed."
Aberavon AM David Rees told residents at a Cwmtogether meeting that he had been informed that the proposals had been put back.
He later added: "I am pleased the Welsh Government has listened to our concerns over its initial proposals and deferred the consultation.
"I have been contacted by local people and businesses regarding these proposals and ensured that their voices were heard during this early stage.
"We are all aware of the congestion that occurs around Junction 41 but alternative options to improve traffic flow which do not include closure of any junctions around Port Talbot must now be developed.
"The statement clearly indicates this as a postponement and we must encourage all appropriate parties to make representations on the new proposals when the consultation reopens with revised those options."
Several residents have spoken out about the proposals.
Concerns have been raised that if junctions were closed back roads in Port Talbot would be become congested.
Although it has been suggested that roads and traffic hotspots could be improved if proposals to close junctions go ahead
At an Aberavon Pact meeting, one resident said: "If they get rid of the junctions you might as well build a wall around the town."
Comments
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:33AM
“The only problem i can see with Harbour Way is number of roundabout. I use the sections that have already been opened on the way to work each day. There is one roundabout by the new magistrates, another behind the station, another by the entrance to the steelworks, yet another by the second entrance and another one in margam. There are 5 in total and who knows there may be another in the section still being built”
by Jiffy
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:15AM
“Harbour Way, when it is finished, should make a difference to the traffic flow. If the locals have enough sense to use it.
The major delays are caused by the off exit at J 41 being far too short and creating a backup onto the M4. This was a bad design and can only be fixed by demolishing houses beside the motorway and increasing the exit length - or better still, shut the exit.”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 11:02AM
“All of this has to do with the new road opening next year. It does seem crazy though that Port Talbot has so many slip roads. One each end of the town is surly enough.”
by ghost_
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 10:59AM
“The majority of the accidents along this stretch I believe are caused due to the poor visibility of traffic emerging from the walled junctions. Vehciles already on the motorway have very little time to react due to the nature of the on-slips, which may also be an additional contributing factor to congestion (i.e. drivers having to brake or change lanes abruptly).
I would suggest possibly replacing the walled sections between the on-slips and motorway with similar height barriers (such as those on the side of the new Severn Bridge) to give a better view of joining traffic. Or failing that a sign at the top of the on-slip triggered when a vehicle enters the start of the slip ramp below. Surely either or both of these could be implemented at a resonable cost and without too much disruption?”
by Philosoraptor
Wednesday, October 31 2012, 9:14AM
“Opening the hard shoulder is just a ploy because the country has no money to create an extra lane, the hard shoulder should always be used for just emergencies... not lighten traffic! What if there is a break down, park the car in the middle of the M4? Yeah, a nice idea that one!”
by NeathPTboy
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 8:55PM
“Closing the junctions you will just move the problem further east/west along the M4 where we will end up with even more traffic trying to join the M4, creating even bigger bottlenecks, at least the traffic joins the M4 at numerous points for now.
I do think that the hard shoulder should be used during peak times, and this case has already been put forward many times already by posters on this article.”
by confused67
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:48PM
“Divert some of the money from Cardiff and a build a diversion part of the M4, and give Port Talbot it's land back. Cardiff has had 000s of millions of £s spent on their roads at a cost to the rest of Wales.”
by P5256
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 11:19AM
“The way forward is to educate the Welsh users of the M4.
So many of them seem to hold the same speed and stare straight ahead when joining the M4, seemingly hoping that someone will give way and let them in.
We need a campaign as part of the various soaps showing/telling people how to join, leave and drive on the M4.”
by taffydaffy
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:58PM
“Port Talbot Chamber of Trade demanded the slip roads as they were worried about their businesses I think Abbey Road Junction and Pentyla are very dangerous lives have been lost”
by Dragon42
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:26PM
“This whole debate is out of date.
The main issue now is to the west of Port Talbot. The west bound queue starts west of the new Britton Ferry bridge and form back towards PT. Nothing to do with speed these days.
The East bound queue is due to the on slip at Baglan. Dedicating the hard shoulder for local traffic will remove the problem, as many have already said.
Of course, the new distributor road will help a great deal, except it is plauged by roundabouts and those pathetic lights at the Victoria Road junction.”