CALLS for the Welsh Government to stop "wasting" public money came from Gwent politicians today as it was revealed almost £20 million will be spent this year on preparation for a new M4 relief road around Newport.

Plaid Cymru have criticised the Welsh Government for spending an estimated £19.8m including VAT in 2015-16 on preparation for the road which is almost three times as much as the £7 million they said they would spend a year ago.

The money is for engagement and assessment costs for the scheme which is set to be decided on after the next Assembly election.

Building work on the project is due to begin in spring 2018 but there will be a public inquiry into the plans at the end of 2016.

A number of Gwent politicians oppose the £1billion black route option proposed by the Welsh Government including Lindsay Whittle, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, who called the black route a 'wasteful scheme.'

He said: “It’s time the Welsh Government admitted they are wrong before more public money is wasted. There is a much cheaper solution and the Welsh Government needs to give it proper consideration.”

“This road will cause environmental damage and also seriously impact on the operations of the port of Newport which is such an important part of the town’s economy. Associated British Ports has invested many millions of pounds and 3,000 jobs are affected directly or indirectly by the port so the real concerns cannot be ignored."

Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales East, Jocelyn Davies, said the Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to the M4 black route is a costly mistake.

She said: “It will take 15 years to deliver any improvement to the traffic bottleneck around the Brynglass Tunnels, cause irreparable damage to the Gwent Levels and blow all of Wales’ borrowing powers on one, overpriced scheme."

The Welsh Conservatives have accused Labour of increasing confusion over the scheme following back bencher Cardiff Central AM Jenny Rathbone's comments criticising her own government’s spend on the £19.8 million engagement and assessment costs.

William Graham, AM for South Wales East and shadow minister for transport, said a public review will give equal consideration to all the options to provide value for money. He said: “Frankly it remains a pity that Labour ministers didn’t bring forward a viable solution to the problem of the M4 during the years of plenty, when they were spending money on like it grows on trees.”

Mohammad Asghar AM for South Wales East, said: “Newport desperately needs an M4 relief road. The current congestion is bad for motorists, bad for the economy and bad for the environment.”

The Welsh Government's preferred £1 billion 'black route' option would run between junction 23 and 29 through the Gwent levels to the South of Newport. The 'blue route' option involves upgrading the Southern Distributor Road and the former steelworks.

Labour's assembly member for Newport East John Griffiths said he is not in support of the proposed M4 relief road but said the preparatory work on the relief road is in line with Welsh Government policy. He said: "The black route would cross the Gwent Levels which have huge environmental value and a landscape largely unchanged over the centuries. And the blue route would pass through the middle of centres of population with all the pollution and noise issues involved.”

He said it is far better to prioritise the Metro system for much better public transport.

Lynne Neagle, Labour AM for Torfaen said: "It is clear to everyone that there’s a problem here that needs to be addressed in the interests of the Gwent and South Wales economy. These massive projects are always controversial and it’s therefore imperative that the Welsh Government goes through the necessary checks and studies.”

Labour AM for Blaenau Gwent Alun Davies said he does not support the black route.

He said: "The economic benefits simply do not justify the cost and environmental damage. I have examined the Welsh Government’s case and the benefits that they forecast are restricted to a very narrow strip around the new motorway."

"The black route is not the way to solve these problems. I would support investment in road solutions around Newport alongside investment in high speed rail and public transport which would provide a long-term sustainable solution."

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said they remain committed to this 'ambitious project.'

She said: "The proposed plan has been subject to a widespread consultation and we believe will improve accessibility for people, Welsh goods and services to international markets by addressing transport issues on one of the main gateways into Wales.

“As is standard when considering an infrastructure project of this size and type, work is required to assess how it could be built, what land would be needed and what environmental measures would be provided.

"The 2015/16 expenditure covers these assessments and the appointment of a project development team to undertake these. It also includes public engagement, such as public information exhibitions.”