The Welsh government has prepared a draft plan for a £1bn M4 relief road, a proposed motorway in the south of the city of Newport, South Wales, with the aim to cut traffic congestion.

The implementation of the plan includes the construction of a new motorway between Magor and Castleton.

A public consultation has been launched on the draft plans over a 12-week period, from 23 September 2013 to 16 December 2013, which will include public exhibitions beginning next month.

The Welsh government has urged as many people as possible to view and comment on the draft plan and its associated strategic environmental, habitats regulations, health and equality assessments.

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said that traffic congestion and unreliable journey times, particularly during rush hour, are common occurrences on the M4 around Newport.

"The Welsh government is committed to addressing capacity and resilience problems on this key artery widely recognised as essential to support the Welsh economy," Hart added.

A key element of the draft plan is the provision of a section of three lane motorway between Junction 23 Magor and Junction 29 Castleton on the south side of Newport.

"The implementation of the plan includes the construction of a new motorway between Magor and Castleton."

This would include complementary measures to re-classify the existing motorway as a trunk road between Magor and Castleton, and establish a new single carriageway link between the M48 and B4245.

The draft plan also includes two ‘reasonable alternatives’ routes and a ‘do minimum’ option, which considers the consequences of doing nothing above what is already planned.

Earlier this month, business leaders opposed plans to fund the M4 relief road with bridge tolls from the two Severn bridges.

Meanwhile, the Gwent Wildlife Trust has been campaigning against the new relief road because it believes that it could eliminate habitats and prevent the movement of wildlife on the Gwent Levels.

Proposals to lower congestion on the M4 in south Wales were introduced by the Welsh government in 2004; however, five years later, the idea was shelved after the estimated cost rose to £1bn.