Responding to comments made by a Welsh Government official regarding the cost of the M4 Relief Road, Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Russell George AM, said:
“Only two years ago the First Minister said the M4 Relief Road would cost the Welsh Labour Government around £800m, however, this looks set to nearly double without a single inch of tarmac being laid.
“This latest estimate shows we have a government in chaos, with a startling inability to manage large infrastructure projects.
“It’s time Carwyn Jones and the Welsh Government got a grip on this situation before further costs are incurred by Welsh taxpayers and motorists who experience gridlock on the M4 a daily basis.”
Notes to editors:
Today’s comments made by Simon Jones (Welsh Government’s director of economic infrastructure) - courtesy of BBC Wales Online:
"The figure that has been lodged with the inquiry is between £1.3-£1.4bn," Simon Jones, Welsh Government’s director of economic infrastructure, told a meeting this morning of the assembly's economy committee.
"The VAT situation is quite complex with that road. It applies to some parts of the scheme and not to others," he said.
Pressed on whether the cost would be more than £1.4bn after VAT, Mr Jones said: "Yes."
First Minister’s estimation
Back in November 2015, the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, claimed the M4 relief road would cost “nowhere near £1bn”.
