I ddarllen y blog yma yng Nghymraeg cliciwch yma os gwelwch yn dda.The Gwent Levels are an ancient patchwork of nature-rich landscapes stretching from Cardiff right up to the Severn Bridge and beyond, that supports an array of animal and plant life. It’s a favourite spot for not just wildlife lovers and walkers, but for everyone from archaeologists to artists too. The area is special for both people and nature, but sadly it is facing serious threat.
As you may be aware, the last few years have been a turbulent time for the area as a result of the Welsh Government’s plans for an M4 diversion which will cut through the heart of the Gwent Levels. So many of you took part in their consultation last year, and thanks to your support 5,000 people responded. A public inquiry was due to start in November last year, but as you may have read in our blog back in October 2016, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, announced that it had been delayed. We can confirm that the public inquiry will now open on Tuesday 28 February.
To plan and build a big piece of infrastructure like the M4 diversion takes years – decades in this case – but maintaining our pressure on the Welsh Government is crucial to pushing them to finding a more sustainable way forward. That’s why we still need your help to maintain pressure on the Welsh Government to re-think its plans to damage one of our most beloved landscapes.
Recap: What is the inquiry about?
The Welsh Government has identified that traffic congestion around Newport is an issue which needs addressing. As a result, it has proposed building a new stretch of motorway to the South of the city. However, the government’s proposed route goes straight through four special protected sites for wildlife, destroying vital and unique habitats.
To see the Welsh Government’s proposed route, take a look at their video.
What are we doing?
RSPB Cymru has submitted written evidence to the public inquiry highlighting some of the ecological impacts the proposed diversion would have on the Gwent Levels area. This includes the fact that the proposed route would cut the new home of the breeding cranes, Lofty and Gibble, in half; leaving their breeding ground on one side and their feeding ground on the other. Such disruption would stop these beautiful rare birds from calling the area their home.
Our evidence also argues that the Welsh Government’s approach to tackling this issue is not compatible with Wales’ new sustainable development legislation, the Wellbeing for Future Generations Act (2015) and the Environment Act (2016).
RSPB Cymru is working alongside many others to make sure the Welsh Government is aware of the threats this diversion poses to nature, and calling on government to show leadership in the implementation of Wales’ new laws by reviewing the congestion problem to find the most truly sustainable solution.
How can you get involved?
Tweet
You can voice your opposition to the M4 and put pressure on the Welsh Government by tweeting about it. These are the hashtags to use and the people to tag:
Hashtags: #LovetheLevels #CarurGwastadeddau
People: @fmwales (Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales), @wgcs_economy (Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure) @wgcs_enviro (Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs)
Contact Welsh Government
You can contact the Welsh Government’s Public Liaison Officer for the inquiry, Brian Greaves, to ask a question about the M4 Newport corridor project or to book an appointment. Just use this form.
Watch/listen to inquiry meetings
You can listen to or watch the public inquiry meetings, which will run for four days a week for 5 months. Look at the Welsh Government’s ‘What you need to know’ document for more info on how to get involved.
Check our blog
To keep to date with the top stories on how the inquiry is progressing, simply keep an eye on our We Love Wales blog.
Want more information?
You can find out more about the M4 Relief Road here: