Thank you, Presiding Officer. Today I am updating Members on the M4 corridor around Newport project. A solution to the long-standing problems on the M4 around Newport has been set out. It includes a new section of motorway to the south, often referred to as ‘the black route’, as well as complementary measures including reclassification of the existing M4 around Newport. This would complement the metro to deliver an efficient integrated transport system in south Wales. Both the M4 relief road and the metro are hugely important to our vision of a fully integrated transport system. We have held exhibitions to help local people understand the land plans and matters such as changes to side roads, as well as setting out the wider economic assessments and environmental mitigation proposals. We published the draft statutory Orders, environmental information and associated reporting on the project in March, giving everyone the opportunity to register their objection, comment or support for the project. All the responses have been carefully reviewed. There are significant issues that must be given careful consideration before I reach a final decision on whether to proceed with construction.

I am mindful of the importance that this process is fully transparent and carried out with the involvement of the diverse range of stakeholders. I have therefore decided that a public local inquiry should be held. An independent inspector will review the need for the scheme and consider all environmental, social and economic factors. They will hear evidence and examine the technical experts as well as hearing from supporters and objectors. The published business case will be considered in light of the current and future levels of traffic, to ensure that the investment would represent value for money. The historic consideration of options will be examined, as will all alternative routes proposed by objectors, including the much referred to ‘blue route’. This will robustly test the merits of suggested alternatives and give an independent view on whether the proposed scheme offers the most sustainable, long-term solution. This will all be carried out in a public forum, allowing open and transparent scrutiny, before the inspector provides vital feedback to inform a final decision on whether to proceed to construction.

The inquiry is set to commence this autumn at the Lysaght Institute in Newport, with a pre-inquiry meeting taking place on 18 July. The inquiry itself is expected to take around five months, following which the inspector will produce a report and recommendations to me. In the event that the Welsh Ministers decide to proceed with the scheme, following detailed consideration of the report and recommendations of the inspector, the new section of M4 could be opened by autumn 2021.