More than 90 businesses have signed a joint statement calling on the Welsh Government to build the M4 Relief Road.

The latest call to press ahead with the 14-mile project involves a statement signed by business figures and council leaders in Newport, Monmouthshire and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns said: “Businesses representing more than 300,000 jobs are calling for this road to be built. When so many companies come together it highlights what a priority this is for the Welsh economy.

“As the Secretary of State for Wales I have made sure that the money has been made available by the UK Government to build the M4 relief road. If the M4 relief road is not built now, it will not be built until 2031 and the Welsh economy cannot cope with that challenge.”

The M4 Relief Road project, estimated to cost around £1.3bn has been awaiting the First Minister’s decision, following an inspector's report after a year-long public inquiry.

Jayne Bryant, AM for Newport West, said: “This is a significant intervention from businesses and Local Authorities who employ or represent a quarter of our Welsh workforce.

“Newport is being choked by serious traffic congestion and a solution to the M4 around the Brynglas Tunnels must be found.

“Levels of air pollution caused by this idling traffic are very concerning.”

The M4 relief road project was first mooted back in 1991, and Ms Bryant says that there is no more time to waste.

“I was 13 years old when an M4 relief road was first mooted,” she said.

“The option of doing nothing, or more delays to a decision, are costly. We cannot have another lost generation.”