Thought the Newbury bypass devastated wildlife? These M4 plans are far worse | Patrick Barkham

The days of ripping up reserves for motorways were supposed to be over. But the Newport scheme would create a ‘Berlin wall’ for natureThe most destructive new road in a generation begins a five-month public inquiry tomorrow. The six-lane M4 through Newport is a little twisty and vulnerable to traffic jams, so the Welsh government wants to flex new borrowing powers to fund a £1bn-plus “relief” road.This 14-mile motorway will carve through the Gwent Levels, dividing a