M4 junction to close over tailbacks

A JUNCTION of the M4 motorway in south Wales will be closed as part of a trial to cut traffic tailbacks.

The closure of junction 41 at Port Talbot starts this summer and aims to reduce congestion in both directions.

Wales' Economy and Transport Minister Edwina Hart said studies predicted it would increase the capacity of the M4 by 11% westbound and 2% eastbound.

In a statement to assembly members, Mrs Hart said: "As part of this study I have agreed to the trial closure of the westbound on-slip and eastbound off-slip roads at junction 41 under an experimental order with the aim of improving traffic flows on the M4 motorway through the Port Talbot area.

The Labour AM said it would allow "monitoring and assessment of the benefits and provide real data to inform the decision on the way forward".

The public would be invited to comment, she added.

Ahead of the trial scheme, "mitigation" measures will be introduced to junctions along the nearby A48 trunk road and other roads in the area.

Mrs Hart added that funding of £521,000 had been offered to Neath Port Talbot Council to cover the cost of "local highway mitigation measures" but it had not yet been formally accepted.

The idea of closing motorway junctions near Port Talbot to improve traffic flow was raised by the Welsh Government in June 2012.

By Benjamin Wright, Press Association