What a feat!
On Tuesday the Westbound M4 Brynglas tunnel was wrecked. A lorry on fire pushed black smoke out of both ends of the tunnels, burnt the roof and destroyed the lighting and burnt the carriageway. It looked like a very long job.
The Welsh Assembly had a hundred people working 24 hours a day, surveyors, engineers, road builders and lighting experts. Remarkably the tunnel reopened today. By any measure that is a splendid achievement. Congratulations to Welsh Office Minister Carl Sargeant and all concerned.
Inevitably there has been a new demand for a second M4 from Chepstow to Newport. There is an alternative that can be swiftly introduced. The link between the Newport Southern Link Road and Llanwern Steelworks to Magor route is a four lane alternative that is virtually ready now. It should be opened soon.
The fire is a warning of the vulnerability of south Wales' main highway's pinch points. Some time soon some of the bridges on the M4 will need rebuilding. That could repeat the congestion of the last few days but for a longer period.
Keep up the good work, Welsh Government.
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