Local politicians have united to put pressure on Powys County Council to save an important depot in Llanfyllin
Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire has joined other community representatives and residents in calls to save the local depot.
The depot in Llanfyllin currently serves a large area of North Powys, and many council services are run from the site.
Powys County Council is currently reviewing the future of four out of the sixteen council depots – Llanfyllin, Llanbrynmair, Presteigne and Crickhowell – which has prompted concern in Llanfyllin.
Mr George said:
“Llanfyllin Depot serves the largest area in Powys and I am concerned that villages such as Llangynog, Penybontfawr, Llanrhaeadr, Llansilin, Llangedwyn and Llanwddyn will be poorly served in the winter months if the depot is closed.
“I am also aware that the depot has recently benefitted from significant investment and it would be wrong to close the depot in these circumstances.
“I fully understand that Powys County Council has some difficult decisions to make as a result of receiving the joint worst financial settlement from the Welsh Government of all local authorities in Wales.
“However, over a 1000 people have now signed a petition to save the depot and this overwhelming public support for its retention should not be ignored.”
Representatives of community councils in the area presented the petitions on Saturday 19th March at 11am outside the Depot entrance. Cllr Peter Lewis, County Councillor for Llanfyllin presented the petition to Cllr John Brunt, Portfolio Holder for Highways, at a Powys County Council Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 22nd March.
Councillor Peter Lewis added:
“It is good to see Llanfyllin and the surrounding community getting behind this. It shows how important the Depot is to the area.
"I see no cost savings for Powys County Council by shutting the Llanfyllin Depot. It is the furthest North in Powys and covers the largest area. In an emergency such as floods, we are 10 miles from the Welshpool Depot.
"How long would it take to drive a JCB from there to Llanfyllin, or even further to Llanwddyn for example, which is another 10 miles?
“I am fully supporting the petition and will be fighting to keep this service in Llanfyllin.”