It's worth quoting more of Lee Waters here as he makes so much sense:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/south-wales-metro-being-set-13723833
He told colleagues there needed to be a solution to traffic problems on the M4 “that will last” and that the Metro had to be fully funded to ensure it could be a success.
Mr Waters said he thinks the formula used to justify a new road as the best way to deal with congestion at the Brynglas tunnels “takes the most optimistic view of the possible benefits” but he says that the projections for the Cardiff Metro “take the most pessimistic view.
“Transport officials have suggested to the public inquiry that of the 11,000 journeys made every hour in peak times on the M4 the metro will - at best - only take 200 off the roads.
“I fear the project is being set up to fail. It is being starved of investment by the UK Government cancelling electrification and by the disappearance of EU grants because of Brexit, and by the road building lobby who are trying to minimise its impact”.
“I don’t believe the proposed M4 relief road will be anything more than an expensive stop-gap,” he said.
He said the formula being used to justify a new M4 as the best way to deal with congestion at the Brynglas tunnels takes the most optimistic view of the possible benefits.
But he said that the Metro calculations are “pessimistic” as transport officials.
“The projections for the Cardiff Metro take the most pessimistic view. Transport officials have suggested to the public inquiry that of the 11,000 journeys made every hour in peak times on the M4 the metro will – at best – only take 200 off the roads.
“I don’t buy it. But if this really is the case – if it will only have a minimal impact on rush-hour traffic – why are we not setting out to develop a public transport system that will tackle peak hour M4 demand?”
He believes the Metro could be a success but it will take time and crucially, he says, it needs funding.
“It’s going to take time, it’s a long term project. It’s not going to make an impact immediately but if it’s fully funded and linked up with buses and the train network and is fully integrated along side measures like park and rides, bus corridors etc then it could make a difference.
“I am concerned it’s being undermined because it suits the agendas of those who are saying we should be putting all our money in the M4.
“I think we should be working on the Metro with gusto so it can make as much of an impact as possible so we can persuade people to switch their cars for public transport.
“If we make cars the most convenient way to get around with new roads, people will use a car.
“However, if we invest in quality public transport that turns up on time and without having to wait a long time then people will use that. You only have to look at London to see that.
“People aren’t addicted to their cars. Putting all this money into the M4, it will end up being dribs and drabs for the Metro and it won’t have the impact it needs to have”.
He said that experts were already warning that a fourth lane was needed around Newport and expansion is needed at Port Tablot.
“I am just so frustrated that we’re repeating the mistakes of the past,” he said.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/south-wales-metro-being-set-13723833
He told colleagues there needed to be a solution to traffic problems on the M4 “that will last” and that the Metro had to be fully funded to ensure it could be a success.
Mr Waters said he thinks the formula used to justify a new road as the best way to deal with congestion at the Brynglas tunnels “takes the most optimistic view of the possible benefits” but he says that the projections for the Cardiff Metro “take the most pessimistic view.
“Transport officials have suggested to the public inquiry that of the 11,000 journeys made every hour in peak times on the M4 the metro will - at best - only take 200 off the roads.
“I fear the project is being set up to fail. It is being starved of investment by the UK Government cancelling electrification and by the disappearance of EU grants because of Brexit, and by the road building lobby who are trying to minimise its impact”.
“I don’t believe the proposed M4 relief road will be anything more than an expensive stop-gap,” he said.
He said the formula being used to justify a new M4 as the best way to deal with congestion at the Brynglas tunnels takes the most optimistic view of the possible benefits.
But he said that the Metro calculations are “pessimistic” as transport officials.
“The projections for the Cardiff Metro take the most pessimistic view. Transport officials have suggested to the public inquiry that of the 11,000 journeys made every hour in peak times on the M4 the metro will – at best – only take 200 off the roads.
“I don’t buy it. But if this really is the case – if it will only have a minimal impact on rush-hour traffic – why are we not setting out to develop a public transport system that will tackle peak hour M4 demand?”
He believes the Metro could be a success but it will take time and crucially, he says, it needs funding.
“It’s going to take time, it’s a long term project. It’s not going to make an impact immediately but if it’s fully funded and linked up with buses and the train network and is fully integrated along side measures like park and rides, bus corridors etc then it could make a difference.
“I am concerned it’s being undermined because it suits the agendas of those who are saying we should be putting all our money in the M4.
“I think we should be working on the Metro with gusto so it can make as much of an impact as possible so we can persuade people to switch their cars for public transport.
“If we make cars the most convenient way to get around with new roads, people will use a car.
“However, if we invest in quality public transport that turns up on time and without having to wait a long time then people will use that. You only have to look at London to see that.
“People aren’t addicted to their cars. Putting all this money into the M4, it will end up being dribs and drabs for the Metro and it won’t have the impact it needs to have”.
He said that experts were already warning that a fourth lane was needed around Newport and expansion is needed at Port Tablot.
“I am just so frustrated that we’re repeating the mistakes of the past,” he said.
