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He's been an outspoken critic of the proposed M4 relief road, so you could forgive the excitement amongst those who oppose its creation that Lee Waters being added to the cabinet was a sign of the new Government policy.

But, Mr Waters has confirmed he will not be involved in the decision about the relief road, and that lies solely with First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Mr Waters, AM for Llanelli, has been a vocal critic of the scheme.

He has said that during the discussion about him becoming deputy minister for economy and transport it was made clear he will not have a say about whether the scheme should go ahead.

Speaking the day after Mr Drakeford announced his new cabinet, Mr Waters said the pair had discussed his stance.

"When I was offered the post, we both agreed that it would inappropriate for me to be involved in the decision around the M4," Mr Waters said.

Mr Drakeford as First Minister will make the final decision. Carwyn Jones has said he hoped to make it before he stood down in December, but it will now fall to Mr Drakeford.

When asked during his campaign for Welsh Labour leader whether he would back the black route, he replied: "Don't know".

In response to a question from Wales Online, Mr Drakeford said he could not discuss his position publicly while in Carwyn Jones' cabinet.

"The debate on the M4 relief road has predominantly been focused on two issues – the predicted impact on the environment and the predicted benefits for the economy. This follows a far too common pattern which frames the future of our planet and the strength of our economy in competition with one another.

"As First Minister, I would seek to end that pattern and move towards an approach in which environmental and economic wellbeing are closely aligned, in accordance with the provisions of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.



"Any major decision on a devolved matter such as this must be taken here in Wales and not dictated to us by anyone else."

What is the M4 relief road? In short, it is a proposal for a new, 14 mile road in south Wales to ease congestion on the M4. It would be to the south of Newport, running parallel to the existing motorway from junction 23A at Magor, to junction 29 at Castleton. A relief road has been talked about for nearly 30 years. It was first touted in 1991 however, by 2009 the project was ditched when then economy and transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the projected cost of £1bn was just too high. The project had originally had a £400m pricetag. In 2014, Edwina Hart resurrected the plans. Three options were put forward, with the so-called black route winning the backing of the Welsh Government. The current estimated cost is £1.4bn. A public inquiry has been held to ensure there is value for money and inspectors are still to report back on their findings. That will play a part on whether go-ahead is given. Concerns were raised by businesses, environmental campaigners and Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe. Carwyn Jones has said that before he leaves office in December, a decision will have been made. But if approval is given by the First Minister it would still need to be signed off in the Welsh Government's next budget, which will not be voted on until January after his departure - when the new First Minister is in charge.

Then, after his election as Welsh Labour leader, he said: "My position today has to be a careful one because there is a legal process, a proper decision-making process.

"Now some decisions may fall to me, and if they do then I will have to demonstrate – and it could well be demonstrated in a court of law – that I have read the inspector’s report, which I am yet to see, that I have taken legal advice, that I have taken financial advice, that I’ve taken policy advice and I have given these major decisions the time that they need to make sure they are made in a proper fashion.

"That’s what I will do. That hasn’t been possible so far. It won’t be possible until after someone’s newly elected as the First Minister. And then those decisions will be made in an orderly fashion that will stand up to scrutiny in a court of law.”

But, the financing of the scheme would fall to the cabinet and the whole Assembly would debate the scheme - and Mr Waters would be involved in both those discussions.

(Image: Welsh Government)

Earlier this month, Mr Waters spoke at a rally outside the Senedd about the scheme.

Mr Waters, who worked as part of Mr Drakeford's campaign team, said the new first minister has given each ministerial team a list of his priorities and asked them to divide them between minister and deputy minister.

"That says a lot about the change of style. It's far more collegiate and empowering for minister rather than a First Minister trying to impose ideas from the centre".