Dear resident,
I have included a number of topics below to update you on the various issues which I have been involved with recently and areas I want to update you on.
During July in the Senedd, some of the issues I raised included calling upon the Welsh Government to remove specific bureaucratic charges on farm businesses; improving access to stroke rehabilitation services in Mid-Wales; and the disproportionate number of school closures in Powys. My speeches in the Senedd and questions to Cabinet Secretaries can be found here.
I was pleased to meet a number of local food producers at the Royal Welsh Show this year. The show offers a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the best produce Wales has to offer and appreciate the brilliant contributions which local producers in Mid Wales make to our communities and our country.
The National Assembly is currently in summer recess, and this allows me to spend more time in Montgomeryshire. Over this time, I’ll enjoy attending local shows and catching up with many of you.
Best regards,
Russell George
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Health Services
The NHS Future Fit programme is concerned with health care services for people living in mid Wales, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. For up to date news please visit http://nhsfuturefit.org/ . I would also urge you to watch the short video clip on the front page of this website.
Mobile Phone Coverage
At the Royal Welsh Show, I attended a meeting of the regulator (OFCOM) which covers the mobile phone industry. The event was hosted by the Farmers’ Union of Wales. The meeting was attended by representatives from the four major mobile phone operators: O2; EE; Three and Vodafone and focussed on the ongoing issues with mobile coverage in rural Wales. I questioned the representatives on why improved mobile coverage in Mid Wales, including 4G coverage in larger towns, had not been made available in Mid Wales earlier this year as was previously planned. The EE representative, when pressed, said that technical issues were responsible for the delay. However, a solution to this issue has now been found and assurances were given by EE that 4G coverage will begin being rolled out in Mid Wales by the end of the year. The other mobile service providers offered similar commitments, but gave no specific timescales.
Broadband Rollout in Montgomeryshire
Last month I met with BT officials to discuss the rollout of superfast broadband in Montgomeryshire. Montgomeryshire has one of the worst levels of superfast broadband access of any area in Wales. Currently 59% of households in Montgomeryshire has access to superfast broadband. This pales in comparison to the Welsh average of 87%. People are increasingly reliant on broadband for their daily lives and such low accessibility rates in Montgomeryshire have profound negative effects on our rural economy and way of life. The meeting, however, with BT was very positive.
Level Crossing Awareness Campaign
Last month I supported a National Rail campaign to heighten safety awareness around level crossings. The campaign targets frequent users of level crossings, including young people, commuters, cyclists, pedestrians and farmers. In the Wales and borders area there are 1,100 level crossings and in the past year there were 275 incidents at level crossings in Wales alone. These incidents are often entirely preventable. I wholeheartedly welcome this campaign and encourage everyone to show care and due diligence when around level crossings.
Wind farm traffic disruptions around Newtown
The delivery of wind farm components to the Garreg Lwyd wind farm development in Radnorshire poses the potential to create severe traffic disruptions around Newtown next month. Trials were carried out on delivery routes on 5 August in preparation for the full turbine delivery programme commencing on 12 September. These abnormal loads will travel along the A483, and travel along Pool road, over the Kerry road roundabout, and up Llanidloes road. The abnormal loads will then be required to travel under Nantoer bridge on the A489. I sincerely hope that disruption will be kept to a minimum, however, my long held view, which I have made formally to relevant decision makers over the past 3 years, is that the deliveries will cause unacceptable disruption. My own view is that the application should not have been granted.
Nominations for 2017 St David’s Day
Nominations for the St David’s Day awards are now open. The awards are now in their fourth year and give us the opportunity to recognise and celebrate people from all walks of life in Wales. If you are aware of any people of groups in Montgomeryshire that deserve national praise, there is an online nomination form here. The nomination period closes at midnight on 21st October 2016.
Advice Surgeries
Upcoming advice surgeries:
Machynlleth Thursday18 August (10:00 – 12:00)
Carno Saturday 20 August (15:30 – 17:00)
Montgomery Saturday 20 August (13:00 – 15:00)
Llansantffraid Monday 22 August (16:00 – 18:00)
Berriew Saturday 27 August (13:00 – 15:00)
Llanbrynmair Monday 29 August (13:00 – 15:00)
I hold surgeries in my Newtown office most Fridays, If you would like to make an appointment, please call my office on 01686 610887 or email [email protected]