Caersws Bridge
A feasibility study is underway on six options being considered to resolve the safety crossing issues on the bridge. The completed feasibility study will be sent to the Welsh Government and the Minister in April for a recommendation to progress this matter. I will of course update you further when I have more information.
Carno Railway Station
I have been supporting the Carno Station Action Group. A scheme to re-open the station is included in the draft National Transport Plan 2015 but with a medium to long term timescale. I asked the Minister to meet with the Action Group, which she did in February, and she has agreed to meet the group again in Carno during July to progress discussions.
Dyfi Bridge Update
The Minister for Economy & Transport, Edwina Hart AM, has outlined progress on the Welsh Government’s long-term plans for a new crossing after having appointed an employer’s agent. A contractor for the works should be appointed in May. There will be a public exhibition held this Summer and the Minister is hopeful that construction could begin next year.
Four Crosses
Local residents have highlighted a long standing safety issue by the existing roundabout towards Welshpool. The national speed limit applies and road markings allow drivers to overtake. There are a number of properties along this section and residents find it difficult to pull out of these properties safely. I have raised this issue with the Minister on a number of occasions and asked her to review and reduce the speed limit.
Unfortunately, as part of the speed review, it was recommended that the national speed limit is retained but the Minister agreed to monitor the situation. I have suggested to residents who have contacted me to record any incidents along this section of road. If there is enough evidence to support changes then I can go back to the Minister and raise the issue again with the logged evidence.
Hourly Train Services
I am delighted that the Welsh Government has announced that the new additional peak time services on the Cambrian Line will start on 17 May.
Four additional return services will operate between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, Mondays – Saturdays with hourly services for peak morning and afternoon times. There will also be two new return Sunday services.
I welcome the long-awaited timetable for these new services which will offer a more frequent rail service. Both Glyn Davies MP and I also congratulate the campaigners for the way they have relentlessly pressed the case for extra rail services having attended meetings with them on this.
I have continually urged the Welsh Government to prioritise additional train services for Montgomeryshire people and to provide good quality transport connectivity to support the local economy of rural Mid Wales.
Lack of Passing Places - Llanidloes to Newtown
I have raised the lack of suitable lay-bys along this section of the trunk road with the Minister. It has been highlighted that there are insufficient places for larger, slow moving vehicles to pull in to allow the traffic following behind to pass safely. This is adding to the congestion on the trunk road, causing frustrated drivers to take extreme risks to overtake.
Llanfair Caereinion
A safety concern has been highlighted on the trunk road below the Primary and Secondary schools. At the start and end of the school day, parking has become a problem. Parents and carers dropping off and picking up children are seemingly parking close to the junction with Bridge Street and on pavements.
This is a difficult issue as parents/carers need to be able to drop off and pick up their children but it also needs to be safe for children walking to and from the schools.
I have written to the Minister to highlight this concern and to ask what measures could be put in place to make it safer for all road users but especially children.
A44 Llangurig
I have been in contact with the Minister on the long standing traffic lights on the A44 Llangurig side of Glansevern. I believe a lorry damaged the safety barrier and structure of the road when it overturned some time ago.
The Minister has confirmed to me that the design of a new barrier system and road structure is expected to be finalised within the next few weeks, and she will then be able to consider the delivery of the works.
Llanymynech / Pant Bypass & Buttington / Wollaston Cross Scheme
The Minister has written to say she has contacted the UK Government to reopen discussions on the proposed road improvements/ bypass schemes. The Minister also informs me that a schedule of meetings have been established between the Welsh Government and UK Government to work together and to take forward these discussions.
Glyn Davies MP has also raised the need for cross border cooperation during questions in Parliament to which the UK Government Minister confirmed the commitment to the discussions.
Maerdy Bridge
There has been long-standing concerns over safety at the junction for Maerdy Bridge. Llandrinio & Arddleen Community Council has submitted a petition calling for safety measures to be carried out at the junction.
I have raised the safety concerns in relation to this junction a number of times with the Minister including supporting the call for a reduced speed limit to alleviate the safety concerns of slow moving vehicles exiting the junction.
Whilst some safety measures have been installed, the Minister has confirmed that as part of the speed review of trunk roads, the review has recommended that the existing national speed limit is to be retained.
Newtown Bypass
Whilst much work is already underway, construction work is due to start later this year and the bypass is due to be completed by the end of 2017.
It has been announced earlier this week that a Public Inquiry will be held due to the nature of some of the objections which have been received by Welsh Government.
This is not unexpected as major infrastructure schemes rarely proceed without a Public Inquiry and this is due process. The timescale for a Public Inquiry has always been allowed for in the timeline of key stages for the scheme up to and including construction.
The Public Inquiry will take place at the end of June but no date has been confirmed as yet.
Objectors to the current proposed route have put forward an alternative route which would proceed through the existing road through Mochdre Industrial Estate.
The Welsh Government have an obligation to investigate this suggested route. I personally don’t feel that the alternative route put forward by some of the objectors is a viable route and would see a number of commercial premises facing demolition. I am concerned about businesses and staff who may have to relocate out of the area.
I have met with a number of people who object to the current route and in some instances I believe those affected have very legitimate concerns. I feel that there are alterations which could be made and these will be presented at the inquiry.
However, I don’t believe a route change through Mochdre Industrial Estate is the answer.
The Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce along with the Mid Wales Manufacturing Group have also expressed their concern to the alternative route and are urging the Welsh Government not to jeopardise jobs and business growth by changing the existing proposed route of the bypass.
It is my view that the current proposal should be supported, and not the proposal put forward by the objectors. I should add that this is also the view of the Welsh Government, the contractor, Powys County Council and the above business groups.
If you have not already done so, you can submit your view to the Welsh Government, and the views of the wider public will be taken into account ahead of the Public Inquiry. Emails should be sent to: [email protected] and by all means copy me into your email by emailing [email protected]
have also met with Powys County Council officials to discuss the options for the A483 main road through Newtown and to discuss what options should be considered for altering the road layout once the bypass is complete. It was agreed that the public will be able to submit their views in this regard. I will of course update you when this process has been agreed.
Speed Limit Review
The Welsh Government has completed a speed limit review across Wales. The results of the review have been published on the Traffic Wales website and may be accessed here: www.traffic-wales.com
Talerddig Crossings
I welcome the Minister’s confirmation that she has allocated £3 million to Network Rail towards a scheme to close eight Cambrian railway level crossings around Talerddig.
I have been urging both the Welsh Government and Network Rail to carry out this safety scheme for some time and is vital that the works is carried out as a priority with the hourly service commencing in May.
The closure of the crossings will not only provide safety to local residents but will also assist local farmers in moving livestock across the railway.
Traffic Lights near Brynderwen Locks, Abermule
Following a lorry accident between Abermule and Garthmyl, I have raised the issue of the repairs to the crash barriers on a number of occasions in the Chamber and discussed the matter with the Minister for Transport. I raised it again this week.
I am disappointed by the length of time it is taking to repair the damage, however it is not a straight forward repair due to the removal of pollution from the canal, the need to liaise with the Canal Trust and the design of the road layout at this location.
The Minister has confirmed to me that the process of removing pollution from the canal will be finished this week but disappointingly, the repair works will not be completed until nearer the Summer.
To minimise delays at peak times including the coming Easter Bank Holidays, the traffic lights will be manually controlled to help the flow of traffic build up. This is a matter I will pursue.
Welshpool One Way System
Following my survey on Welshpool traffic last year, I wrote to Powys County Council requesting an update of any proposed alterations to the road layout.
The Council confirmed that an initial Scrutiny Report into the one-way system concluded that significant and major changes to the one-way system were unwarranted and not deemed necessary to consider its reversal or removal.
In the Council’s view, to do so would involve significant work which is considered unjustifiable at this time.
I am collating all responses I receive on this and intend to meet with Powys and Welshpool Town Council representatives to discuss further.
If you have any views on this that you would like me to put forward then please let me know.