A MONMOUTHSHIRE councillor has slammed the decision to delay the M4 relief road public inquiry until next year.

Magor councillor Francis Taylor said that she was "fuming" with the news that the inquiry, scheduled for Tuesday, November 1 had been pushed back to March 31, 2017.

The setback was announced by Welsh Government's economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates on Monday, who claimed that the Department of Transport (DfT) recently introducing a revised way of forecasting growth in traffic without informing them beforehand.

The Labour minister described the announcement as "hugely disappointing" but remained committed to dealing with traffic problems on the highly congested section of the M4 around Newport and claimed that the project will still be completed as planned by 2021.

In recent week Cllr Taylor, constituents and residents of surrounding areas set to be affected by the planned £1.1 billion project have met to form a combined response.

Their statement of cause was set to be delivered on the evidence deadline yesterday however the postponement has meant that the submission date has also been moved, with a new date yet to be confirmed.

Cllr Taylor admitted that the news could be positive for groups looking to further build their cases but expressed concerns over the decision to announce the change in plans hours before the deadline.

Cllr Taylor said: "If these two bodies can't communicate then how are local people supposed to organise themselves and have their voices heard?

"Why did it take up until hours before our deadline for this news to come to light?

"You have to wonder how this will help the public as it's supposed to be a public inquiry but the public are going to become disfranchised with the entire process."

The Mill ward member also express concerns for NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as Gwent Wildlife Trust and CALM (Campaign Against the Levels Motorway).

"These are organisations that have been able to secure expert witnesses and barristers who are willing to work pro bono but you have to wonder whether these people will still be a available during the next deadline," said Cllr Taylor.

A DfT spokesperson said: “We are committed to working closely with the Welsh government and encourage them to deliver this project which will improve journeys for drivers.

“We keep our traffic forecasts under review and made clear to Welsh officials at the start of this year we were going to update our projections.”