CALLS have been made for an investigation amid claims that the Welsh Government deliberately misled the public over the proposed M4 relief road around Newport.

The deputy leader of Wales Green Party, Pippa Bartolotti, today disputed the advantages of the £1.1bn plan put forward, calling the benefits promoted in a Welsh Government leaflet “sexed up.”

Speaking at the public inquiry, Ms Bartolotti said one third of the economic benefits of the scheme would go to England and that the Gwent valleys would be disadvantaged.

She also raised concerns that the new section of motorway would be “environmentally destructive” and claimed that CO2 emissions would rise.

Claims that the M4 is currently 95 per cent full is “over-egging the position”’, Ms Bartolotti said.

“It is simply not good enough to present one set of figures as if they are fact, and expect every individual in the general public to then go and check out their efficacy,” she added at the inquiry.

“Mis-information, alternative facts and post truth are an insidious trend. We have a right to trust our government and I expect better of them.”

She also said: “My conclusion remains the same: that the public have been intentionally misled, and all costs and expenses for this proposed road should be referred to the Wales Audit Office for investigation.”

Ms Bartolotti told the inquiry that the proposed South Wales Metro “outperformed” the plan for a relief road.

“The Metro brings a more valuable, cost effective, and sustainable solution for increasing prosperity than the proposed M4,” she said.

“The proposed black route flies in the face of climate change targets, and increasing inequality, is needlessly environmentally destructive, is poor value for money and is unfit to meet the needs of future generations.”

She also called it “misleading” to say the scheme would create up to 6,500 jobs, suggesting an FOI had forecast the creation of around 750 jobs.

Journey times would be improved by at most five minutes, rather than ten minutes as claimed in the Welsh Government leaflet, Ms Bartolotti added.

The Welsh Government says the proposed relief road is aimed at easing congestion problems on the current M4 between junction 23A at Magor to junction 29 near Castleton. Consisting of six lanes, the new motorway would be 23km, departing from the existing M4 at junction 23A, passing across a new River Usk bridge to connect with the existing junction at Castleton, junction 29.

Supporters say the scheme would bring the motorway up to modern standards and is good value for money.

The public inquiry is expected to run until July, and will hear from supporters and opponents of the proposed scheme, as well as examining 22 alternatives put forward.