February 2019
Dear Resident,
It's been a busy start to the New Year with a decision on the future of health services in Shropshire which serve us here in Montgomeryshire; the completion of the Newtown Bypass which opened today; a visit to the Senedd from a Mid Wales Trade Delegation; and the launch of phase 2 of the Superfast Cymru broadband scheme.
As always, I hope you enjoy reading the update and if you require support or assistance on a specific issue, please do not hesitate to contact me by telephoning 01686 610887 or emailing [email protected]
Also, if you would prefer to receive this update in Welsh, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will arrange for you to receive a copy in your preferred language.
Kind regards
Russell
Russell George AM
Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
New Emergency Care Centre to be based in Shrewsbury
On 29th January, plans were given the go ahead to transform hospital services for the half a million residents of Mid Wales, Shropshire, and Telford. The result is that a new Emergency Care Centre will be built in Shrewsbury with an investment of £312 million from the UK Government.
This was good news for us in Mid Wales, and I very much welcomed this long-awaited decision which comes after too many years of deliberation in my view.
There is a concern of a potential challenge from Telford & Wrekin Council by way of an appeal to the Secretary of State for Health. It would be very disappointing if such a challenge is made, as this may clearly lead to a delay in implementing the decision.
This should not take away from the fact that this decision represents good news for the delivery of health services in Montgomeryshire and to read my full update on this issue, please click here
Newtown Bypass: Opened Today at 12.15pm
This afternoon saw the opening of the Newtown Bypass. This was a momentous occasion for Mid Wales.
I was pleased to attend the official opening today. I am pictured above with the Mayor of Newtown, Cllr Sue Newham. Cllr Sue and I are at the point where the ribbon was cut. The vehicles behind us are waiting to be the very first to travel on the bypass following the official opening. I thought it was particularly fitting that the people who worked so hard to build the bypass were the first people to drive on it. The picture below shows the first vehicles ready to go! Welsh Government Minister for Transport, Ken Skates AM, unveiled a plaque at a new lay-by on the new road near the project offices before proceeding to cut the ribbon towards the Llanidloes side of the bypass.
It is important to keep in mind that there will still be other construction works such as landscaping that will continue now that the bypass is open. Responsibility for the existing road through Newtown will now become the responsibility of Powys County Council. Various other works will take place in the coming weeks and months.
Newtown Town Council has been asked by the Welsh Government to suggest names for the new structures along the bypass. I met with the Transport Minister last week to discuss these options, and the Welsh Government will shortly be making a final decision.
For the full update on the Newtown Bypass, please click here.
Growing Mid Wales Trade Delegation visits Senedd
Last month, I was delighted to sponsor a Growing Mid Wales Trade Delegation and exhibition in association with Powys and Ceredigion County Councils at the Senedd.
The event sought to showcase the produce and services from businesses from across Powys and Ceredigion and promote the potential for a Mid Wales Growth Deal.
The Welsh Government Minister for Economy & Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, spoke at the event, and there were also contributions from the Leaders of both local authorities, Cllr. Harris (Powys) and Cllr. ap Gwynn (Ceredigion).
The event was a great opportunity for the Minister for Economy, Ken Skates, and decision makers from across Welsh Government to see the many outstanding businesses that operate in Mid Wales, and I hope that this event will help to progress the case for a Mid Wales Growth Deal with the Welsh and UK Governments.
Organised by the Growing Mid Wales Partnership, the event, which took place on Thursday 31st January, showcased the region’s industries including Powys-built hydrogen powered cars, world class research facilities at Aberystwyth, and regionally important businesses for the rural economy and tourism. It also promoted the huge economic opportunities across the region and underlined the need for public investment and a Growth Deal for Mid Wales.
Chronic Pain Relief Service
I have raised the imminent closure of the chronic pain relief service at Oswestry's Orthopaedic Hospital with the Welsh Government's Minister for Health, Vaughan Gething.
The service, which is provided at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) and serves 400 patients in Mid and North Wales aims to reduce suffering and enhance quality of life for those who suffer with chronic pain conditions.
Earlier this week, I also spoke with the CEO of RJAH who confirmed to me that the services would close on March 31st following a reduction in the number of patients being referred to the hospital and an internal review finding the service is too fragile to continue safely as a result of operational and clinical challenges.
I am due to meet with the Powys Teaching Health Board CEO, Carol Shillabeer, to discuss the way forward as dozens of people in North Powys who rely on this invaluable service and there must be an appropriate alternative for those people who rely on these chronic pain services, in order to minimise the impact of the decision to close the pain services at Oswestry.
I will keep residents informed of the outcome of the further discussions which I am having, but I would be happy for any resident who is affected to contact me directly. In my view, it would be unacceptable if the chronic pain service at Oswestry were to close without an appropriate alternative in place.
Broadband - Phase 2 of Superfast Cymru announced
It remains the case that 13% of premises in Montgomeryshire are unable to receive a decent broadband connection compared with the Wales average of 3% and in the rural parts of Montgomeryshire, this rises to 19%.
Last month saw the award of lot 2 of phase 2 of the Superfast Cymru programme, which covers the East of Wales (Powys; Cardiff; Flintshire; Monmouthshire; Newport; the Vale of Glamorgan; and Wrexham).
However, it appears as though this contract, which has been awarded to Openreach, at a cost of £9.25 million will still not solve some of the issues which are experienced by residents in Montgomeryshire.
By March 2021, it will only provide faster broadband to around 10,000 extra premises in east Wales and my understanding is that only 1400 of these will be in Powys. This will mean that over 22,000 premises in east Wales will still remain without high speed broadband after the end of this phase of the rollout in 2021.
Residents can find out whether or not they are included in the rollout of phase 2 of the Superfast Cymru programme by visiting the online checker here
I am concerned that the urban-rural digital divide will continue to widen and will ensure that I keep asking the probing questions of the Welsh Government and Openreach until such time as all people in Montgomeryshire are able to benefit from "decent" broadband.
Drop-in Advice Surgeries
I will be holding a series of "Drop-in" Advice Surgeries alongside the following County Councillors so that local council issues can be raised. No appointment needed.
2nd March - (3pm - 4pm) - Trefeglwys Community Centre with Cllr. Phyl Davies (Blaen Hafren)
15th March - (11am - 1pm) - Cain Valley Hotel, Llanfyllin with Cllr. Peter Lewis (Llanfyllin)
15th March - (1.30pm - 3.30pm) - Meifod Village Hall with Cllr. Jonathan Wilkinson (Meifod)
15th March - (4.30pm - 6.30pm) - Llansantffraid Football Club with Cllr. Gwynfor Thomas (Llansantffraid)
Advice Surgeries
I will also be in the following areas on these dates. Please contact my office on 01686 610887 if you would like to make an appointment to meet with me.
8th March - Welshpool
9th March - Llanidloes
18th March - Newtown
