The Welsh Government has announced that it will build no new roads - unless they contribute to achieving modal shift and reducing carbon emissions.
While acknowledging this is a 'big and difficult' change, the administration's path is firmly set.
"This is about ensuring that future roads investment does not simply increase the demand for private car travel," the government says in its reply to the country's Roads Review, which was delivered last September.
"Instead, we need to deliver schemes that contribute meaningfully to modal shift, which will require different approaches in different parts of Wales," the government adds.
In essence this means that - while there will continue to be investment in the roads network - there will be no new road building unless projects pass a number of tests.
For decades, increasing capacity for cars on our road network has been seen as a solution to transport problems," the statement continues.
"This has contributed to increasing reliance on the private car, resulting in urban sprawl and in many instances exacerbation of congestion, which has an economic impact and causes access issues as well as social and environmental problems."
The new approach needs to deliver social and economic benefits, be consistent with the Welsh Government’s decarbonisation and transport policies and also address the climate emergency.
Safety on the road network "must be paramount", the reply emphasises.
"Investments for safety should focus on specific safety issues to be addressed (rather than wider road improvements and increases in road capacity). Speed limits should be considered as one of the primary tools for improving safety."
Wales has already adopted a default 20mph speed limit.
The government says new and existing access roads will be necessary to connect new developments, including freeports, to the existing network - but these must be designed to prevent ‘rat-running’.
"Our transport system is one of the most important national assets we have," the government concludes. "It connects people to one another, binds communities together and enables businesses to grow and expand for provision of a vibrant economy. It’s one of the most powerful and dynamic tools for community cohesion, social justice and inclusive economic growth that we possess. Of course, we will still invest in roads: we will still need to provide connections to support sustainable social and economic development, but this must be consistent with Welsh Government policy to prioritise public transport and active travel as well as support decarbonisation, modal shift and improve safety, recognising that needs vary across different parts of Wales.
Reducing and re-prioritising investment on new road schemes and increasing investment in sustainable modes will assist modal shift, but it will also deliver wider benefits, it adds.
"These include less air pollution, more successful town and neighbourhood centres and a transport system that is accessible and fair for all. We recognise that this is a big and difficult change, that it won't happen overnight, and it requires us to work collaboratively, across government and beyond."
