It’s strange but sometimes the M4 is almost like a quiet country lane. It’s odder still that it was a bit like that during the Nato conference - where had everyone gone?

But then yesterday with a drop of rain it was mayhem.

Granted it was a big drop of rain added to blustery conditions and it being Monday morning which caused tailbacks. And also the fact that the previous day had been all sunshine and warmth and the Armageddon conditions caught many people off their guard.

Now there are some that say we don’t need a new multi-million pound M4 relief road to skirt Newport.

It’s argued that the road, proposed to be carved through the environmentally-important Gwent Levels, should be resisted at all costs.

Then there are others who claim the existing motorway can’t cope and, in any case, we have to plan for the future growth of South Wales.

There’s little doubt that the proposed new road would open up the potential for major economic growth for the area but there remains the environmental damage that will necessarily be caused.

There is also the fear that Newport could be bypassed with all investment heading directly to Cardiff.

The Newport Food Festival was a huge draw at the weekend with first the supper in the Market Hall, what a brilliant venue that is, and then thousands descending on the centre for the food stalls and chef demonstrations at the Riverfront.

Celtic Manor Resort, Coleg Gwent, Western Power Distribution and Queensbury are to be congratulated on supporting the event and also Newport City Council for ensuring it was a huge success in its fourth year of being staged.

Let’s hope murmurings that this year's could be the last are unfounded, or at least that a major sponsor can be found to ensure the longevity of this massively successful and very enjoyable promotional event for the city.

The Estates Office, at Pentonville, where Hutchings & Thomas is now based, back in our spiritual home of Gold Tops, was officially opened a couple of weeks ago by Mayor of Newport Cllr Matthew Evans, as readers of Business Argus will already be aware.

Lord Tredegar's Estates Office has been totally transformed by the new owners into state-of-the-art offices providing a perfect meld of history and modernity. We’re very happy in our new home, as are the other tenants who now almost completely fill the space in the refurbished building.

Sadly Justin Edinburgh wasn’t able to celebrate his third year at the helm at Newport County with a win away to Oxford United at the weekend however the 4-1 demolition of AFC Wimbledon at home the previous Saturday was a very welcome early ‘birthday’ present.

I’ll soon be able to reveal details of the largest office letting in the city, aside from Admiral, for very many years soon – I mentioned it last time and I know you’re all keen to know the details – I’m just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on that one.

Up the ‘Port.