Since the positive funding announcement that I reported on in February, Wales has elected a new Government with no party having an overall majority. So, will Plaid Cymru (with 43 seats) continue to work with Labour (with just 9 seats) thereby continuing with the current transport strategy or will the Reform party have an influence and try to divert it? Dan Thomas, the Reform Party leader reportedly said, during the Senedd election debates, that seven newly proposed railway stations in Wales – including those planned for Llanwern, Newport West, Somerton, Magor/Undy, Cardiff East, St Mellons (Cardiff Parkway), and Deeside are “not actually needed or wanted.” He proposed scrapping these rail projects to divert the multi-billion-pound funding pot into road infrastructure instead.
MAGOR has always worked with all the politicians, of whatever party, to convince them of the sense and need for a station serving Magor and Undy and, to be fair, all those we have engaged with have been extremely supportive. We need to make sure that the support continues for ‘Magor/Undy’ and that the impression ‘not needed’ is dispelled.
The MAGOR group met on the 21st May, discussed the above, and agreed a course of action (see the draft minutes here ) which was, in short, to engage with all the politicians, new and old, to ensure there is full support for ‘Magor and Undy Walkway’.
We also agreed that we would continue with the annual ‘Walk to School Day’ event, involving the local primary schools. It promotes the benefits and need for a ‘Walkway’ station and helps keep our profile high. The event is co-run with the support of Magor with Undy Town Council but if there are any business or private sponsors that would like to contribute to this initiative, please contact Laurence by email – magorstation@gmail.com.
Thank you everyone for the support you have given to this now 14 year campaign which is so close to being a success!