PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, Stephen Crabb, has been criticised by environmentalists for backing a road-building proposal which it is claimed would increase carbon dioxide emissions in the county.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth has slammed the MP over comments he made in the Western Telegraph in July, supporting the A40 dualling from St Clears to Haverfordwest. The environmental pressure group has written to Mr Crabb urging him to reconsider his decision, because they believe a new road would have harmful environmental and economic impacts.

The transport campaigner of Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth, Ellie Clegg, said: "We are very pleased that Mr Crabb is supporting the Climate Change Bill that we are sponsoring in parliament. This Bill would compel the UK Government to make year-on-year reductions of 3% in carbon dioxide emissions.

"It is disappointing that, while Mr Crabb is supporting carbon dioxide reductions at a national level, he is backing an unnecessary road building programme that would inevitably increase traffic levels and the harmful emissions associated with it."

In response, Mr Crabb, said he had a huge amount of respect for Friends of the Earth in making society wake up to the dangers of pollution and climate change.

"However, on the issue of the A40, I am afraid I disagree with their local representatives. I am fully convinced of the need for major upgrading of the A40 into Pembrokeshire, both on the grounds of economic development and road safety," he said.

"No one wants to see Pembrokeshire's outstanding beauty spoiled. But neither do I want to see Pembrokeshire become simply a retirement home for wealthy people."

Friends of the Earth believe the A40 dualling proposal would treble the road space in and out of Pembrokeshire at a huge cost to the taxpayer, but would only save about six minutes in travel time.