MONMOUTHSHIRE commuters are set to face major disruption when work starts on the M4 near Magor later this year.

Described as a "no pain, no gain" exercise by the Welsh Government's Project Director for Transport, Martin Bates at last week's Severnside committee meeting, he said the completed programme would ease traffic congestion and improve motorway access from Magor.

In a presentation to the committee, Mr Bates explained how improvements would be made to 4.7 km of dual carriageway, known as Queensway, through the Llanwern Steelworks site as well as to Junction 23A at Magor and the B4245.

This will include the installation of traffic lights at the junctions within the B4245, a new road drainage system, the creation of three roundabouts and speed limit changes.

He said: "The speed limit would be 50 from Junction 23A, reducing to 40 and to 30 towards Newport. We have to be honest there will be some congestion while the work is being done but it's a no pain, no gain situation."

The work was expected to last for 35 weeks and would be done in phases.

"There will also be around eight separate night closures which we are doing in order to minimalise the impact on the public," he added.

Although the report states there would be 'provision for pedestrian and cyclist facilities' Mr Bates told councillors this would not be funded by the enhancement programme, and if at a later date Monmouthshire Council wanted a foot and cycle path "they would have to fund it themselves".

He said: "With the already extremely stretched budget we have for this programme as it is, there is no way the Welsh Government can fund a cycle path. If Monmouthshire Council want it they will need to liaise with Newport council as it runs into their locality."

A date for the work to begin has yet to be announced but is expected to begin in the spring.

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