AN ORDER has been issued for land purchase to redesign parts of Newport Docks and accommodate parts of the proposed new M4 relief road.

The Welsh Government has issued a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) which will see parts of the south dock, north east of the city’s landfill site, snapped up as part of the ambitious scheme.

Land in the Pill area of Newport, specifically parts to the south east of the A48 Southern Distributor Road (SDR), have also been earmarked for compulsory purchase.

The CPO states that the land would used for the purpose of building a “special road” in the community of Pill in relation to the relief plans set out in the so-called “black route”.

Subject to approval, the route sets out the construction of a six-lane motorway running south of Newport between junction 23A at Magor to junction 29 at Castleton.

As the Argus previously reported, these plans involve a bridge would bi-sect the south and north docks and height restrictions for vessels entering the site would be capped at 25 metres.

Along with the building of the bridge, the CPO also includes the provision of new means of access to premises and the carrying out of other works, and further works on watercourses in connection with the bridge’s construction.

The public inquiry on the relief road, which is currently adjourned until September 19, had previously heard that the new bridge over the docks would affect its economy.

In March it was estimated that owners Associated British Ports (ABP), which has officially objected to the relief road, could stand to lose £8.5 million in revenue due to the suggested vessel restrictions.

Economist Andrew Meaney added that the loss of land and rent to ABP could cost between £8million and £16million.

ABP’s director, Matthew Kennerley, said at the time: “We are in no doubt that the loss of land at the port, coupled with the damaging impact on port operations, will not only affect existing import and export activities, but severely restrict future development opportunities that would bring significant economic benefits to the region.”

But ABP refused to comment on the official CPO that has been issued in and around the docks area.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “Further to collaborative and productive liaison with stakeholders, this supplementary Order proposes a revised configuration of the quayside in Newport Docks to accommodate the M4 project.

“The supplementary Order allows all to express their views before the independent inspectors scrutinises the evidence on it at the ongoing Public Inquiry.

“Following receipt of the inspectors’ report a final decision can be made on whether to proceed with construction of the M4 Project.”

Objections to the draft order can be made in writing to the Orders Branch, Transport, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ by Wednesday, September 13. Submissions should state the title of the order and the reference qA1174612.

Go to the Welsh Government website to view it in full.