SEVERAL councillors spoke in opposition of Monmouthshire County Council supporting the proposed M4 relief road calling the scheme the county's "version of spaghetti junction" today.

The meeting was called to ratify the letter which outlines the council’s support “in principle” of the M4 relief road along the Gwent levels.

In a close vote, 16 councillors of varying political stances voted in support of the letter against 12 councillors who voted in opposition.

This means the response will be sent to the Welsh Government along with reference to member’s oppositional views.

Eight councillors gave personal objections to both the draft letter and relief road proposal, namely those representing wards set to be affected.

“This scheme will be the Monmouthshire version of spaghetti junction,” said Cllr Linda Guppy.

“There’s no mention of listed buildings let alone that it’s using up prime farmland within the area. These are not just fields, they’re people’s livelihoods that will be adversely affected.”

The four-year projected construction phase was also commented on by Cllr Frances Taylor, who believes that residents have no clear idea as to how the road will affect them.

She said: “Has anyone ever known a public transport plan to come through on time and on budget?”

“I’ve no confidence that those timescales are right.”

Other councillors labelled the plans as “outmoded” and criticised the spending of much of the transport budget on one road.

Cllr Phil Hobson questioned whether a six-lane motorway was the answer due to its proximity of the A4810 through Llanwern.

He said: “Sometimes I’m the only person on the road. At rush hour, I only see around five cars on the road.

“The six lane motorway will be within metres of this unused Llanwern route. It simply does not answer that is going on.

“It’s not benefitting Monmouthshire.”

Cllr Simon Howarth urged the council to talk to the new minister when possible to gain representation within the Welsh Government.

He said: “We have officers putting hearts and souls into delivering what we want them to do.

“It’s absolutely massive and unless we have secondment from here to the government to engage with us you can forget it.”