April Newsletter
Russell George AM's monthly update on his work in Montgomeryshire and the Assembly
Dear resident,
It has been an honour for me to represent the people of Montgomeryshire over the last five years.
With only a month to go before both the National Assembly and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, I have included some useful information on changes to voter registration below.
I hope you find this update of interest and I look forward to meeting many of you over the next month as I campaign for re-election as Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire.
As always, please let me know if you have any issues or concerns and if you would like my help on any matter, please contact me by emailing [email protected]
Best regards,
Russell George
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Securing Change for Rural Wales
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Living and working in beautiful rural Mid Wales is a great privilege but it can also be a great challenge. I feel that there are specific issues facing our rural communities which the next Welsh Government will have to tackle as a matter of urgency if rural communities are to survive and, more importantly, flourish. With the right support, mid Wales could be an economic powerhouse. Through empowering local decision-making; supporting rural public services and amenities; universal access to high-speed broadband and mobile coverage; and ensuring our farming industry is competitive, our rural communities will be revitalised. I am optimistic about rural Mid Wales’ prospects but we must do more to support our rural communities if they are to emerge from "survival mode" and flourish once again. Please read a full article which recently appeared in the media here.
Broadband
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During my time as your Assembly Member, one of the issues which has dominated my postbag has been the availability of broadband in Montgomeryshire. My role as the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Cross Party Group on Digital Communications has also allowed me to campaign for the prioritisation of broadband in Mid Wales, to ensure that residents and businesses across Montgomeryshire do not miss out from the rollout of fibre broadband.
Please click here to read my recent update on broadband availability in Montgomeryshire.
Transport
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Welshpool Traffic
I was pleased to welcome the Welsh Government’s Minister for Economy Science & Transport, Edwina Hart AM, on a visit to Welshpool to discuss on-going concerns relating to pedestrian safety and proposed alterations to the road layout to improve the town’s one way system. I was particularly keen that the Minister visited Welshpool in person to see for herself how alterations to the road layout would be beneficial. The results of the survey I carried out last year showed that there is a consensus for a number of alterations that would support the better flow of traffic in the town including the idea of Brook Street becoming two-way. I was very pleased that the Minister was receptive to the idea of alterations being made and she wrote to me to confirm that her officials will be investigating the options for Brook Street to be changed from one way to two way traffic.
Caersws Bridge
A feasibility study has been undertaken to address the safety to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the narrow river bridge. A number of options are under consideration. One option is to install permanent traffic lights on the existing bridge. This, however, is not the preferred choice by me or the local community and I have asked the Minister to consider the stand alone footbridge option.
Llangurig A44
I have written again to the Minister, Edwina Hart AM and she has confirmed that the works to replace the damaged barrier are about to take place and works will be completed in the spring this year. However, the Minister further informs me, that the section of road that is also in need of repair won’t be addressed until further funding is confirmed. Welsh Government officials are currently planning schemes for funding in 2016/17 and improvements to the A44 at this location will be considered as part of this process.
Llanymynech / Pant
I continue to lobby the Welsh Government and UK Government to progress the bypass. Highways England is the lead authority for the bypass scheme and Welsh Government transport officials have to work with them to take forward the scheme. Discussions are taking place on how to progress the cross border scheme.
Other traffic Projects
There are a large number of other transport projects that I have been involved in supporting. It’s not possible to list all of them, but please do contact me if there are specific concerns or projects you would like to be updated on.
I produced an update on the Newtown Bypass early last month which can be read here
Local Transport Projects – Funding
I welcome the new investment in local transport projects in Powys after having campaigned for improvements to transport links throughout Montgomeryshire during my time as your Assembly Member.
After having supported Powys County Council in their application for grant funding, I am pleased that £883,000 of Welsh Government funding has been allocated for transport schemes in Powys.
I’m particularly pleased that projects designed to improve road safety will now come to fruition. We all know how treacherous some of Mid Wales’ roads can be. Therefore, I welcome any measures which will improve road safety and am pleased to see that improvements along the A495 from Meifod to the Powys County border; improvements to junctions and pedestrian crossings on the B4568 in Newtown; and new walking/cycling routes in Llanfyllin have all received funding.
I will continue to campaign for the transport improvements which are essential if the Mid Wales economy is to flourish.
Details of the grants awarded to Powys are below.
Local Transport Fund
£420,000for improvements to waiting facilities along the TrawsCymru T4 (Newtown to Cardiff) route.
Road Safety Capital grants
£125,000 for package of measures to improve road safety and reduce casualties along A495 from Meifod to Powys county border.
£11,000 towards study on how to improve junctions and pedestrian crossings on B4568 Back Lane / High Street Junction in Newtown.
£63,000 for road safety improvements to B4560 between Llangydir Moutnatin Road to Powys county border.
Road Safety Education and Training
£117,400
Safe Routes in Communities
£62,000 for improvements to walking and cycling facilities at Maesydderwen school, Ystradgynlais.
£84,500 for new walking and cycling links in Llanfyllin.
Small Business Support
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I believe that small businesses in Powys risk falling behind unless urgent action is taken to offer additional support. In England, the Chancellor has announced that 600,000 businesses will pay no business rates whatsoever, as a consequence of reforms announced in the UK Government’s budget. I believe that the next Welsh Government must offer similar support to small businesses in Wales by abolishing rates for small businesses with a rateable value up to £12,000, and provide tapered support up to £15,000.
Public Toilets
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The loss of public toilets in rural communities is something that exercises many people in Montgomeryshire, especially in those areas that have a thriving tourism industry. There is a concern about the ongoing financial viability of providing public toilets and I have recently urged the Welsh Government to look at measures which will halt the decline of these important public facilities.
Voter Registration
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The way you register to vote has recently changed and all new registration applications must be done individually.
Each applicant will be asked to give their name, address and previous address, nationality, date of birth, and national insurance number.
As long as you have the information above, it takes less than 5 minutes to complete. To register, go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
If you are unsure if you are on the election register, contact Powys County Council’s Election department on:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 01597 826202