English: Diolch, Lywydd. This statement updates Members on a delay to the M4 corridor around Newport public local inquiry as a direct result of actions taken by the UK Government. Due to the short time frame until the planned inquiry start date, I decided to release a written statement yesterday to advise all stakeholders as soon as possible. As I set out to Members here on 21 June, it is vital that this process is fully transparent. In this spirit, it is right and proper that this matter is discussed with Members at the earliest opportunity. The Department for Transport has, without consultation, introduced revised methodology to their new forecasting for traffic growth, referred to as TEMPro 7. As I want to ensure that decisions on the M4 project are based upon the most accurate, robust and up-to-date information, I must now allow sufficient time for a review of reporting that supports the published proposals issued in March 2016 to be carried out. Dependent on the outcome of my review, the inquiry, which was due to commence on 1 November, will start no later than 31 March next year. In the interests of fairness and transparency, reporting on this matter will be shared with all stakeholders as soon as reasonably possible. The timetable of an inquiry would be as I previously set out and last around five months and examine all aspects of the M4 project, as well as all suggested alternatives. I am well aware of the range of views towards the project. An inquiry would allow these views to be heard, and outside of that process I am keen to continue to explore all opportunities for reducing negative impacts and maximising cross-cutting benefits of this major investment. The UK Government has already expressed its desire to see work on the M4 project start as soon as possible, so it is hugely disappointing that the Department for Transport failed to engage with us on these revisions before they were introduced, forcing this regrettable delay. Whilst we push forward with our metro plans for the north and the south, the long-standing and continued problems associated with the M4 around Newport need a solution that delivers, for the long term, integrated and sustainable transport systems. Assessments to date indicate that our proposed M4 project is the only reasonable solution, but it is only right and proper that the proposals are tested in light of the most up-to-date information available to ensure that we deliver the right choice for the people of Wales. The problem has not gone away. We have made a strong commitment to deliver a sustainable, long-term solution to the chronic traffic problems of this stretch of the M4. Subject to my review and inquiry approval, the M4 corridor around Newport project can still be delivered in 2021.
Welsh: Diolch, Lywydd. Mae'r datganiad hwn yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am yr oedi yn yr ymchwiliad lleol cyhoeddus i goridor yr M4 o amgylch Casnewydd o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i gamau a gymerwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU. Nid oes llawer o amser cyn dyddiad dechrau arfaethedig yr ymchwiliad, felly penderfynais ryddhau datganiad ysgrifenedig ddoe i roi gwybod i'r holl randdeiliaid cyn gynted â phosibl. Fel y dywedais wrth Aelodau yma ar 21 Mehefin, mae'n hanfodol bod y broses hon yn gwbl dryloyw. Yn yr ysbryd hwn, mae'n iawn ac yn briodol bod y mater yn cael ei drafod gyda'r Aelodau cyn gynted ag y bo modd. Mae'r Adran Drafnidiaeth wedi cyflwyno methodoleg ddiwygiedig o ran y dull newydd a ddefnyddir ganddynt i ragweld twf traffig, y cyfeirir ato fel TEMPro 7, a hynny heb ymgynghori. Gan fy mod i'n awyddus i sicrhau bod penderfyniadau ynglŷn â phrosiect yr M4 yn seiliedig ar yr wybodaeth fwyaf cywir, cadarn a chyfoes, mae'n rhaid i mi yn awr ganiatáu digon o amser i gynnal adolygiad o'r modd y cyflwynir adroddiadau sy'n cefnogi'r cynigion a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mawrth 2016. Gan ddibynnu ar ganlyniad fy adolygiad, bydd yr ymchwiliad, a oedd i fod i ddechrau ar 1 Tachwedd, yn dechrau heb fod yn hwyrach na 31 Mawrth y flwyddyn nesaf. Er mwyn tegwch a thryloywder, caiff yr adroddiadau ar y mater hwn eu rhannu â'r holl randdeiliaid cyn gynted ag y bo'n rhesymol bosibl. Fel y nodais o'r blaen, byddai amserlen yr ymchwiliad yn para tua phum mis ac yn archwilio pob agwedd ar brosiect yr M4, yn ogystal â'r holl ddewisiadau amgen a awgrymwyd. Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r amrywiaeth o safbwyntiau ynglŷn â'r prosiect. Byddai ymchwiliad yn caniatáu i'r safbwyntiau hyn gael eu clywed, ac y tu allan i'r broses honno, rwy'n awyddus i barhau i archwilio pob cyfle i leihau effeithiau negyddol a gwneud y mwyaf o fanteision trawsbynciol y buddsoddiad sylweddol hwn. Mae Llywodraeth y DU eisoes wedi mynegi ei dymuniad i weld y gwaith ar brosiect yr M4 yn dechrau cyn gynted ag y bo modd. Felly mae'n hynod siomedig bod yr Adran Drafnidiaeth wedi methu ag ymgysylltu â ni ynglŷn â'r diwygiadau hyn cyn iddynt gael eu cyflwyno, gan orfodi'r oedi anffodus hwn. Er ein bod yn bwrw ymlaen â'n cynlluniau metro ar gyfer y gogledd a'r de, mae angen ateb ar y problemau hirsefydlog a pharhaus sy'n gysylltiedig â'r M4 o amgylch Casnewydd, a hwnnw'n ateb sy'n cyflenwi systemau trafnidiaeth integredig a chynaliadwy ar gyfer y tymor hir. Mae'r asesiadau hyd yn hyn yn dangos mai ein prosiect arfaethedig ar gyfer yr M4 yw'r unig ateb rhesymol. Ond mae'n iawn ac yn briodol bod y cynigion yn cael eu profi o ystyried yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn darparu'r dewis cywir i bobl Cymru. Nid yw'r broblem wedi diflannu. Rydym wedi gwneud ymrwymiad cadarn i ddarparu ateb hirdymor a chynaliadwy i'r problemau traffig parhaus ar y rhan hon o'r M4. Yn amodol ar gymeradwyaeth fy adolygiad a'm hymchwiliad, gellir parhau i gyflwyno prosiect coridor yr M4 o amgylch Casnewydd yn 2021.