Walking and cycling path opening

August 29, 2010

Pleased to take part in the official opening of the new walking and cycling path that opened within my ward the other week. The new path follows the river seven from Trehafen side of Newtown and connects by a new footbridge.

The need for a new path had first been discussed in a community meeting 18 months ago, I then took up the issue with council staff and it was agreed that a grant be applied for from for the Safe Routes in Communities Transport scheme.

The new section of Riverside Path is a real opportunity for residents of Trehafren & Vaynor to cycle into Newtown, if you want to cycle further you can now cycle all the way to Abermule. Several additional links have also been built into the estates along the route.

I would also like to give the new Clean Energy Centre a plug which has just opened in Newtown behind office express. If you live and work around Newtown, fed up with Newtown traffic, but feel a push bike is too much like hard work, what about trying an Electric bike! Jeremy Thorp who has just opened the new centre says it’s the transport of the future, and I agree. Jeremy would be happy to let you try one out, also ask him about the 50% off the cost if you buy through the cycle-to-work scheme.

We have also been able to attract a further £196,000 to continue the route out towards Vaynor and the college this year. Will keep you updated on progress.

Opening the path is Mayor Joy Jones, me to the left and Jeremy back right

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Posted by russellgeorge

Newtown Skate Park update

August 17, 2010

I always prefer to write a blog post that brings good news! After years of talk, Newtown will soon have a skate park. A group of us have been campaigning for funding for a skate park for some time.

All being well, the new skate park should be open in the Autumn. It’s going to be built on the land at the entrance to Trehafren fields behind the police station.  I think this is a good location as it is fairly central and not located too close to residential properties.

The whole project was put out to tender. Often the Council puts a tender together and looks for companies to submit their ideas and price, but on this occasion companies have been told how much they have to spend, and they have to bring forward creative bids.

Each company bidding has consulted with young people from Newtown either by using Facebook, or by meeting groups to listen to their suggestions. I have always believed it’s not Councillors or council staff that should decide the design; it’s the people that will use it. The selection process will take place over the next few weeks, and the successful bidder will start work soon.

I was amongst a number of Councillors that was involved in securing the funding for the skate park. Being a Councillor often brings difficult and challenging issues, but it’s all worth it when you get a positive result.

If you are interested in knowing more or being involved in the skate park, please leave a comment.

See the County Times Story

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Posted by russellgeorge

£1.3 million boost for Newtown

April 7, 2010

We are now into day two of the election campaign. As the news broke yesterday, I was out campaigning in Broad Street, Newtown with Glyn Davies the Conservative candidate, who I very much hope will be elected as the next MP for Montgomeryshire one month today. 

However, my blog post is not on election news, but on good news for Newtown. 

The five Newtown County Councillors, Peter Harris, Frank Torrens, Richard White, Bob Mills and myself have been working together to secure funding for a number of Newtown projects, and we have recently had conformation of funding for three of our top priorities. 

A skatepark is just one of the options that a panel of young people will consider

 

I’m most excited about the funding for the Skate Park myself. A young persons group will be set up. Youth service staff have been investigating various options to put to Newtown’s youth including different options for a skate park, an Adizone, which is an outdoor gym sponsored by Adidas, and a multi-use games area. I have asked a member of the youth staff to attend a community meeting in my ward on 28th April at 6.30pm at Trehafren meeting hall and all are welcome. 

What is important to me is that the locations of these facilities are in appropriate places and are good value for money. I’m keen that what is selected is not just a fad and that the facilities will be used for many years to come. 

The largest sum of money, £812,000, has been set aside for improvements at Theatre Hafren, they can now make improvements to there facilities and I’m excited about the proposals which will now be drawn up. I am fully expecting the theatres management team (which I sit on) to use this sum to leverage further match funding. 

£397,000 has been earmarked for improvements at Maldwyn Leisure Centre – £230,000 for the replacement of the synthetic pitch, £87,000 for the athletic facilities and £80,000 for replacement of tiling at the pool. 

Although this funding is welcomed, we have further work to do. Our top priority has always been the refurbishment of the Market Hall. I believe we must have investment in the commercial centre of Newtown and especially since the loss of big names such as Woolworth’s and Curry’s. What better way to do this than a total refurbishment of the hall for the benefit of small and new start up business with further facilities such as tourist information centre to make this a focal and centre point in Newtown to be proud of.

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Posted by russellgeorge

Newtown strikes it lucky

May 28, 2008

I would like to offer my congratulations to Devika and Muralee Tharan, who recently opened the area’s first ten-pin bowling alley, uStrike. I went along on Friday night with a few friends. I had seen it described as a ‘four-lane state-of-the-art bowling alley’ and I would say that’s what it is! Really well furnished, no expense spared and professional service.

A recurring comment I heard while campaigning was that our county council isn’t doing enough in the way of children and youth facilities in Newtown.

My answer to that was rather than the focusing on council providing further facilities, our council should be encouraging and supporting local entrepreneurs.

The council is pretty strapped for cash and unfortunately leisure and recreation facilities are always going to be pushed to the bottom of the list when money is short. It is great news that the town has now got this facility. I don’t know Devika and Muralee Tharan, but they have obviously taken a risk in this venture and I just hope that the all those who have called for more facilities will support this business.

I came last in our match so will definately be going back again to improve my technique!

For more information, visit www.ustrike.co.uk or call 01686 622688 for bookings.

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Posted by russellgeorge