THE Welsh Government has promised an update on its stance on the M4 Relief Road by mid-July.

The statement from minister for government business Lesley Griffiths today follows a request from Newport-based Tory AM William Graham.

He claimed that there are increasing problems on the M4, citing ten-mile tailbacks following a crash on Monday morning.

The AM says he believes the UK chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne will make a firm commitment to funding the road.

The Welsh Government is yet to announce its conclusions on a recent consultation on the M4 - which looked into construct a new tunnel among other options - while Mr Osborne has recently backed the idea of a relief road.

However no deal between the UK Government and Welsh ministers on how it might be funded has yet emerged.

Mr Graham asked for Edwina Hart, minister for economy and transport, to give a statement on the M4 relief road, in business questions in the Senedd on Tuesday.

“The leader of the house will know that I asked for a statement at the end of the last Assembly term. Since that time there have been increasing difficulties on that road and yesterday there were ten-mile tailbacks in each direction,” he said.

“I believe that the chancellor will make a firm commitment to fund this road. Can we please have a statement from the minister a statement, detailed proposed route and a schedule for construction as soon as possible?”

Leader of the house Lesley Griffiths said that the minister is considering the matter and will make a statement before the summer recess, which starts in mid-July.

Calls for the M4 relief road were reiterated on Monday after the chaos caused by a crash in the Brynglas tunnels that morning.

The crash involved two vans and a car at 6.30am on the eastbound carriageway, which was closed for a number of hours.

There were long tailbacks on the M4 in both directions, as well as delays on the A48 heading into Newport from Cardiff.