Dear Resident
As 2015 begins, the attention of all political parties will be on the forthcoming General Election on 7th May. It will be a long campaign and the country faces a serious choice about its Government and the direction of travel over the next five years.
The way in which people register to vote is also changing. You may want to visit the GOV.UK website to ensure that you make your voice heard on May 7th.
However, I’m determined that it won’t distract my attention away from my on-going work on behalf of the people of Montgomeryshire in the National Assembly. Every month, this e-newsletter aims to update you on the range of different issues. It’s difficult to cover everything, but if you have an issue of concern or would like an update on something which hasn’t been covered here, please get in touch.
Agriculture and rural affairs
In my capacity as Shadow Minister for Agriculture & Rural Affairs, I am also proud of the important role which I have in representing rural Wales and fighting to support our farming communities.
Dairy farmers in particular have been experiencing tough market conditions and I have been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure that all interested parties support the industry.
It is of significant concern that the farm-gate price of milk has fallen from 34 pence per litre to just over 20 pence per litre in the space of a year and that some retailers are selling four pints of milk for less than 90p!
This is heaping pressure on dairy farmers and I was able to raise this issue on a visit to a dairy farm in Meifod last week at which the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans AM, joined me to hear the concerns of dairy farmers at first hand.
In my view, the Welsh Government has a key role to play in using the levers at its disposal to restore fairness to dairy product pricing, a message which I delivered loud and clear to both the First Minister and Deputy Minister in my contributions in the Assembly chamber earlier this month.
For more information on my views on how the dairy industry should be supported, please follow this link to my recent article which appeared in the Western Mail.
Newtown Bypass
I am delighted that construction is due to start later this year. I raised the bypass timetable with the Transport Minister last week, and she confirmed the scheme is still due for completion by 2017. There maybe a public inquiry held if a number of objections are received. It is equally important therefore to also submit letters of support to the scheme and I would encourage people to send letters of support if you are in support of the bypass. It would be useful to include the benefits of the bypass and the benefits of the scheme going ahead this year.
Letters of support or objections need to be sent by Friday 30 January 2015 to:
Gareth Jones
Orders Branch, Transport
Dept for Economy Science + Transport
Welsh Government
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NQ
Or email [email protected] You can also drop them by hand into my office if you wish and I can forward them on.
Please note, if only letters of objection are received by this date, and fewer letters of support, then the project could be delayed if a long public inquiry is required.
Train services
After many years of local campaigning, I was pleased that the Minister for Economy and Transport, Edwina Hart AM, agreed to an hourly service during peak times to run on the Cambrian Line from May. The additional services will be mainly from 6.00am – 10.00am and 5.30pm – 9.30pm with extra services on a Sunday. To see the proposed timetable click here.
I am also pleased that there is a new direct Virgin train service from Shrewsbury to London Euston which began at the end of last year. The combination of the direct Shrewsbury-Euston trial service and a new hourly service from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury will transform rail connectivity for Montgomeryshire and will be of huge benefit to the local economy.
Our MP, Glyn Davies, and I are also both raising concerns about the fencing and safety of livestock alongside the track.
Finally, I am also pleased that the possible re-opening of Carno Railway Station has been highlighted in the draft National Transport Plan 2015 consultation document. I hope to meet the Minister shortly with local campaigners form Carno to discuss the plans in more detail. The draft National Transport Plan is open for consultation until 11 March and I encourage as many people as possible to respond. All the information you need is here.
Surgeries
I have published a full list of surgeries for the coming year. You can find the complete list on my website. Please find below my upcoming dates:
- Llanymynech – Saturday 7 February, 10am-11am
- Carno Community Centre – Saturday 14 February, 10am-11am
- Morrisons, Newtown – Friday 20 February, 5pm-7pm
- Trefeglwys Community Centre – Saturday 21 February, 12pm-2pm
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
National Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire
Aelod Cynulliad dros Sir Drefaldwyn