WELSH Conservatives gathered in M4 services to discuss the “desperately needed” solution to solving congestion on Wales’ “economic artery”.

Yesterday, Welsh Conservatives met at the Road Chef in Magor Services to discuss potential solutions for the notoriously congested M4.

David Davies, MP for Monmouth, told those who had gathered at the meeting, more money needed to be spent on solving the problems surrounding the M4 and the Severn Bridge, which has a knock-on effect on the country’s economy.

He put his questions to Stephen Crabb MP and Wales office minister, who attended the meeting.

Mr Davies asked Mr Crabb to take the group’s concerns back to government.

“I would appeal to you to ask the treasury to come forward with some clarity,” he said.

“We need a solution. We know what the solution looks like, we want this to be top of the list.

“We are serious about taking the economy of Wales forward.”

Speakers took it in turns to discuss what they felt caused problems on the road.

The Brynglas Tunnels were described as a, “constant source of trouble,” and the chaos caused when there is an accident was also voiced.

AM Nick Ramsay said he thought a relief road would be the “best” solution.

“We have to recognise that the economy of Wales was revolutionised by the Severn Bridge.

“But if you travel at certain times you know you are going to have huge delays.

“I do not think the Southern Distributor Road is the answer.”

Mr Ramsay spoke of what an improved road could do for Wales.

“We want Wales to be open for business and for that to be communicated from far and wide,” he said.

“The message I am taking from this event is we need to get some progress now on improving the M4, we have talked about this for decades.”

Mr Ramsay cited the closure on the M4 last Thursday(Jun13) following a crash just past the Brynglas Tunnels and the subsequent effect it had.

“This has a major impact on business,” he said.

“The M4 is the lifeline, the economic artery, the most important piece of infrastructure that we have in Wales.

“Our economy needs investment and infrastructure.”

Mr Davies was keen to explain this project is not just about “benefiting the economies” of Newport and Cardiff but the whole of Wales.

“It is about the Valleys, it is about employing people trapped in unemployment,” he said.

“By improving this part of the corridor you improve the whole economy along it.

“We desperately need this.”

‘We need to strike a balance’

SPEAKING after the meeting, Stephen Crabb MP and Wales Office minister, spoke of what consideration would be taken for the environment.

He said: “With any major infrastructure project it is absolutely essential that proper consideration is given to all sensitive environmental issues.

“It is a project which will require a lot of discussion, but I believe we can strike a balance between the economy and preserving our wonderful, natural wildlife.

Mohammad Asghar, AM for South East Wales, said a new relief road was needed to solve problems on the M4 and bring people into Newport.

He said: “We need Newport to be a vibrant and more attractive city. It is the door way to Wales, when people come to Wales they come through Newport and we want people to come here, not just pass through.”