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January 2025 Newsletter
Welcome to my January 2025 Newsletter.
Happy New Year.
I hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas.
January is an ideal time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges of the new one. This month's newsletter focuses on key areas, with Read More tabs in each section to provide further details on each topic.
As ever, if you would like an update on something not mentioned in my newsletter, or I can help in another way, please email me at [email protected] or call my office at 01686 610887.
Improving Health Provision in Mid Wales
I recently visited the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, where construction has been progressing for several months as part of plans to establish it as the main emergency hospital for North Powys, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. This is an exciting development for us in Mid Wales, as it will mean access to enhanced, life-saving emergency care in Shrewsbury.
The planned services go beyond a standard A&E department. They include the return of the women’s and children’s consultant-led inpatient service, as well as the head and neck department, critical care, and the stroke unit. These services will also be reinstated at Shrewsbury.
My full update provides further details on changes to Llanidloes Hospital and other cottage hospitals that took place in 2024, along with an update on plans for a new Mid Wales Health Facility.
Welshpool’s Wales Air Ambulance Base
There is welcome news in the ongoing effort to challenge the decision to close the Welshpool Air Ambulance base.
In July, an application for a judicial review of the decision to close the base was submitted to the High Court. The application questioned the lawfulness of the wider decision, including the permanent closure of the Welshpool base.
The High Court granted permission for the case to proceed to a full hearing, acknowledging that the case is arguable. This was very welcome news, and the hearing will take place later this month.
A Better Rail Service
Unfortunately, the rail service in Montgomeryshire continues to fall short, with trains frequently cancelled, delayed, or overcrowded.
A new fleet of trains is being developed for the Cambrian Line, designed to operate on its unique signalling system. These trains are expected to deliver increased passenger capacity and faster acceleration, improving reliability in meeting the timetable. The new rail stock is anticipated to come into service on the Cambrian Line by the end of this year.
My full update provides further details, including updates on other transport schemes such as Pant–Llanymynech Bypass, Road Improvements at A458 Middletown, Schemes at Caersws, A483 between Abermule and Garthmyl, A44 Llangurig to Aberystwyth and the road collapse at Talerddig are included in the Read More section below.
Senedd Elections Next Year
Next year’s Senedd elections will see the number of Members of the Senedd increase from 60 to 96. There will also be a change to the electoral system, transitioning to one fully based on proportional representation. Voters will now cast their vote for a party rather than an individual candidate.
I voted against the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act as I believe there is no public mandate for either a larger Senedd or the proposed changes to the voting system. My full update explores these reforms in greater detail.
Supporting Farmers and Rural Life
2024 saw significant protests in both London and Cardiff. In February, thousands of farmers and rural residents voiced their concerns about the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme. In November, tens of thousands of farmers from across the UK gathered in London to express their objections to changes in Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). These changes would leave many farmers liable for inheritance tax on their family farms, potentially threatening their survival.
Rural economies depend heavily on farming. No farmers, no food. The erosion of family farms would increase reliance on food imports, with serious consequences for our food security. My full update explains why this issue affects us all.
Broadband & Mobile Improvements
Significant progress has been made in expanding broadband coverage across Powys.
The UK Government’s Project Gigabit—a £5 billion initiative to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest-to-reach areas—made substantial progress in Montgomeryshire last year. Many more premises are set to benefit this year. Once the network is operational, residents and businesses will be able to upgrade through their providers.
I have also been supporting plans for 16 new mobile masts across Montgomeryshire. These will form part of the new 4G critical communications system for Britain’s emergency services. Several masts are scheduled to become operational in 2024. I will be meeting with Government officials later this month to discuss progress on the remaining masts.
My full update lists the masts already online and those due to come online in 2025, along with updates on the rollout of superfast broadband.
Our Local Economy
My full update provides details on plans for a new Advanced Manufacturing Campus in Newtown and the Montgomery Canal restoration project. My last question in the Senedd before Christmas was about Government support for the tourism and hospitality sector. More on these topics is available in my full update.
A Round-Up of Other News
- Access to Cash and Banking Services – Read More
- The Future of Education in Powys – Read More
- Concerns over the Creation of a National Park – Read More
- 20mph Speed Limits – Read More
- Protecting Our Landscape from Large-Scale Pylons – Read More
If you would like a copy of my 2025 calendar, which includes useful contact numbers, please let me know.