Dear Resident,
I’m pleased to update you on a number of different issues.
MID WALES TRANSPORT
Caersws Bridge - I have had a number of conversations with the Transport Minister, Edwina Hart AM and she has asked her officials to liaise with the Caersws Steering Group to look at various options to make it safer. Welsh Government officials will be consulting with the Steering Group on determining an appropriate recommendation for further consideration. My colleague Glyn Davies, MP has also met with a representative of the Steering Group.
Dyfi Bridge - The Dyfi Bridge has been one of my key priorities over recent years. The Minister has confirmed that she is progressing options for a new bridge upstream following the results of my survey earlier in the year. The Minister has also confirmed that these plans do not include a bypass, which I know is the same view of the local and wider community of Machynlleth. I will continue to ask the Minister for updates on progress.
Newtown Traffic -The Newtown bypass is on schedule to start construction next year. If you would like a copy of the route, please contact me.
Cross Border Transport Issues -This remains high on my agenda. My colleague Glyn Davies, MP, has recently discussed cross border issues with the UK Government Minister for Transport. I also continue to raise this with the Welsh Minister Edwina Hart AM and have spoken about it in the Assembly very recently. Glyn Davies and I are currently seeking further meetings regarding the Llanymynech / Pant bypass and Middletown improvements.
Hourly Train Service - I am pleased to say that this service is still on target to start next May. There will be an additional 8 trains daily providing an hourly service for peak morning and afternoon times, the new timetable is expected to be published next February. There are also plans to carry out some alteration work at Shrewsbury and Machynlleth stations in preparation for the extra services. I am also conscious that farmers who have land either side of the tracks will be affected. I am currently in discussion with the Minister, Edwina Hart AM, in regards to funding for ‘holding pens’.
HEALTH
Domiciliary Care in Montgomeryshire -In the last few months my office has been inundated with concerns and issues regarding the new adult domiciliary care contracts which Powys County Council tendered-out for earlier this year.
In Montgomeryshire, the two companies that were awarded the contracts to facilitate and provide adult domiciliary care to people in their homes was Reach and Abacare. Issues raised with me have been very concerning. Issues include, vulnerable people who require care have not received their medication on time, their care plans have not been available, carers not turning up to attend the needs of the people who require the care at the at the designated times. I have also been contacted on a number of occasions when vulnerable adults have are unable to leave hospital, but due to the lack of carers, this then causes bed-blocking in our local cottage hospitals and Shrewsbury General Hospital and the Orthopaedic hospital at Gobowen. Carers have also contacted me with regards to staffing and employment issues. The list of concerns have been numerous.
Powys County Council have a duty of care and responsibility to deliver effective, good quality domiciliary adult care. In mid September, Powys County Council decided to terminate the contract with Reach. From 1st October Abacare were given the contract to provide the adult social care contracts in Montgomeryshire.
If you, or a member of your family are still concerned with the care that is being provided, for example, carers not turning up, inconsistent service of care, or still waiting in hospital to go home, but unable to as the carers or care plan has not been implemented, I would be interested to hear from you. You can email me directly or call 01686 610887. I would be very happy to raise your concerns directly with Powys County Council
Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth - The possible down grading of hospital services at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth is very concerning. The people of west Montgomeryshire rely on the health provision which Bronglais supports and provides. Any down-grading of services is very unsettling. A meeting was held at Ysgol Penweddig in Aberystwyth organised by Aberystwyth Town Council on Friday 12 September. The Welsh Government is carrying out a review the services and provision of health care in Mid Wales. The health care study report will include proposals for future provision of services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board geographical area. The report is due to be published in the next few weeks. Glyn Davies MP and I will be meeting the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board over the coming weeks to raise our concerns. I will of course keep you updated.
Changes in Shropshire - Welsh Government needs to be involved in changes to health services across the border in Shropshire. Last week I had the opportunity of making this point and raising this with the Welsh health minister. You can read my question and the Ministers response here.
MID WALES CONNECTION PROJECT
Many thanks to the many people who completed my wind survey report, the results can be found here.
Please contact my constituency office on 01686 610887 to make an appointment or to discuss any issue you want to raise with me.
Best wishes
Russell George