AFTER years of protesting, the coalition of campaigners, who for decades mounted fierce opposition to the plan to build the M4 Relief road across the Gwent levels, are gathering outside the Senedd again.

This time not with protest banners and placards but with flowers and messages of gratitude after an announcement was made by Welsh Government to scrap the controversial scheme to build the £1.4bn motorway through the Gwent Levels in South Wales. 

“We are extremely delighted by the announcement to cancel the M4 Relief Road,” said Diana Wallace from near Raglan.

“This momentous decision by Welsh Government deserves to be celebrated. We want to show our gratitude to Mark Drakeford and the Welsh Government for taking this courageous decision at a time when they have declared a climate emergency. Alternatives to more roads and escalating car use is needed to reduce carbon emissions.”

A gathering of the campaigners against the M4 Relief Road to express appreciation will take place on the steps of the Senedd on Wednesday June 19 from 1 - 3.30pm. It is timed to coincide with the important debate on the second part of the climate emergency petition to “Enact legally-binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels.’

The campaigners have welcomed the decision not to carve a 14-mile, six-lane motorway around the city of Newport across the Gwent levels, destroying a unique and historic landscape.