A DECISION on the long-awaited M4 relief road will be made by Carwyn Jones before he leaves the office of first minister, it has been revealed.

Speaking in the Assembly earlier today economy and transport secretary Ken Skates announced the report of the public inquiry into the scheme, currently estimated to cost at least £1.4 billion, had been received by the Welsh Government.

And he said “the current first minister” would ultimately make a decision on whether to give the scheme to go-ahead. With Mr Jones is due to leave office by the end of the year, this means the project will be approved or blocked within the next three months following years of waiting.

Mr Skates said: “Following due diligence, a decision will be made by Welsh ministers and, ultimately, the current first minister on the statutory orders process - effectively, whether planning permission is granted.”

He added: “An open and robust debate will then take place before a final investment decision.”

Responding to a question from South Wales East AM Mark Reckless, Mr Skates said AMs would be given the opportunity to debate the recommendations of the inquiry.

The so-called ‘black route’, a new stretch of motorway running south of Newport, is the Welsh Government’s preferred version of the plan, and is also the most expensive of the proposals. Among alternatives are the ‘blue route’, which would involve turning the Southern Distributor Road and Steelworks Road into a new dual carriageway.

Mr Skates said: “The decision will be for the first minister, but a debate will take place, and that debate will, I'm sure, see a number of alternative expressions of interest given and a number of alternative ideas for how we resolve the M4 congestion around Newport.

“This is a very divisive issue - I respect that - but the decision must be evidence based and when we look at the evidence available to us, the benefit-cost ratio of the proposal is classed as high, particularly when you compare it to some of the other major infrastructure projects that are taking place or have taken place across the UK.”

But he did not confirm whether or not AMs would be given a vote on the scheme.

He said: “We're currently examining options.

“We had determined that a 'to note' debate would be appropriate, however, further discussions are taking place on whether the debate should, indeed, be a binding vote.”

Newport West AM Jayne Bryant called for a decision to be made as soon as possible.

“Newport is being choked by significant traffic congestion,” she said. “On the M4 as it is now and when there is an accident on that route, the rest of Newport becomes absolutely gridlocked, and this will only get worse with the lifting of the Severn tolls imminently.”

She added: “This problem needs addressing quickly and it's our duty not to allow this to be passed on to the next generation?”

Mr Skates replied: "It's my very firm view that easing congestion around Newport needs to be accomplished as soon as possible.

"We also need to look at alternative ways of enabling people to pass through Newport, or to travel within the Newport area.

"Again, that work needs to be conducted at speed"