We strongly support the position of the Welsh Government which announced a pause on all new road schemes in June 2021 and their commitment to creating a significant shift away from cars to other, more sustainable, transport alternatives. Net Zero Wales announced by the Welsh Government in October 2021 aims to reduce carbon emissions across the whole economy by 63% by 2030. Transport makes up nearly 17% of the total carbon emissions in Wales. Most of the road schemes that are currently under development across Wales were developed before the Welsh Government had announced its Net Zero Wales plans.

Tim Birch from Wildlife Trusts Wales said:

“The bold and groundbreaking policy, by the Welsh Government, to review and potentially stop new road schemes across Wales will be critical in helping the Welsh Government achieve significant cuts in carbon emissions. The recent global climate discussions that took place in Glasgow in November 2021 at COP 26 clearly spelt out that the time for urgent action on reducing carbon emissions to avert a climate catastrophe is now.”

The Wildlife Trusts agree with the Welsh Government that there is considerable potential for optimising public transport reliability and efficiency to achieve reductions in congestion, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the subsequent impacts upon people and wildlife. We also agree that the greater the shift to public transport and active travel such as biking and walking is achieved, the more justification there is to develop and adapt new, more sustainable transport services which will provide real meaningful choices for people.

Building more roads and encouraging the use of cars is not the answer to addressing the deepening climate and nature crises. Investing in sustainable transport services for the people of Wales is. Building more roads will only lock us into more carbon intensive futures as well as increase congestion, increase pollution, and harm our wildlife at a time when we need to be urgently addressing the climate, ecological and public health emergencies.

Tim Birch from Wildlife Trusts Wales said:

“We understand that the Roads Review Panel set up by the Welsh Government is now starting its detailed review of new road schemes across Wales. Recommendations will be made in the final report from the Panel to Welsh Ministers this coming Summer 2022. We are hopeful that those recommendations will be good news for the climate and the natural world across Wales.”