Friends of the Earth Cymru have launched a legal challenge against Welsh Government plans to build a M4 relief road around Newport.
The environmental organisation launched a judicial review into the decision to build the six-lane motorway will go through the protected Gwent Levels wetlands.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said they were “disappointed” and had not received notice of the challenge.
A judge will look into whether the Welsh Government acted illegally by not considering more options for the route other than south of Newport and two other variations.
Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Gareth Clubb, said: “This motorway would cause massive damage to important and protected wildlife. We think the Welsh Government has acted unlawfully, and there are better transport options they’ve not properly considered. We’re now asking a judge to decide whether the government is breaking the law.
“People from all walks of life have joined us in supporting alternatives, from business groups to political parties. Whether it’s because of the huge expense, the better transport alternatives, or the environmental damage, many thousands of people in Wales are against this unnecessary and unaffordable road.”
Gwent Wildlife Trust (GWT) also support the call for a judicial review.
Ian Rappel, Chief Executive of GWT, said: “GWT is in favour of this legal challenge because it’s absolutely essential that all environmentally sustainable options are fully considered in the face of transport issues.
“This is even more important when irreversible damage may occur on sensitive areas such as the Gwent Levels, which is a greatly valued landscape and complex ecosystem.
“GWT has been working alongside local communities to enhance and protect the Gwent Levels for half a century. We are determined to continue in that vein come what may.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “It is disappointing when organizations advise the press in the first instance about their intentions, we have yet to receive notification of a judicial review.”
At the end of July I wrote,
“I completely agree (with Lindsay Whittle AM) that the announced cost will bear little relation to
the money we will have to fork out to build this white elephant.”
This is going to be the first cost over run, a legal challenge will prove very expensive and may scupper all the (costly) preparation if the ruling is in favour of Friends of the Earth. A plan to increase the capacity of the existing M4 by removing choke points would have been the sensible thing to do.
Let me introduce you to Caerphilly Council’s spending formula:
Does it produce any worthwhile results?
Is it value for money?
Is this better than the alternative options?
Is this the best use for public money?
Will the public support the decision?
Will it make people happy?
Is it supported by any other political party?
If ‘no’ is answered to all of these the proposal is passed.