Armed with a stopwatch, South Wales Argus reporter Paul Platt hit the streets of Newport to put the town’s notorious traffic jams to the test after reporting on numerous roadworks and street closures.

Much to his surprise, he was able to navigate the Newport’s busiest routes and return safely back to the office within 40 minutes.

And this was during rush hour.

Paul said afterwards: “Maybe we had a lucky day. Or maybe the time we spend queuing isn’t quite as long when measured by a stopwatch as it seems when you’re seething behind the wheel.”

And with his new found knowledge, roadwise Paul informed readers: “Newport may be hit by more roadworks and traffic closures than almost any town in Wales – but traffic jams are still much less widespread than in most British cities.”

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