WHEN I last posted in mid-July, I reported we were still awaiting the ‘Burns Prospectus’ – the document that Welsh Government would need to endorse that would spell out the major transport improvements that mitigate the M4 relief road cancellation. It would include their costs and time frames. As of MAGOR’s meeting on the 10th of October, we were still awaiting it. Also, we had learned that Monmouthshire County Council’s Transport Forum meeting had been cancelled and there had been no progress with the arranging the meeting with Ken Skates (WG Transport Minister). We agreed that we would need to chase up these items and discuss them with our new MP, Catherine Fookes, at the forthcoming meeting planned for the 18th October. It felt very much like things were stagnating.
Just a couple of days later, things started to move again –
1) The Prospectus – John Griffith’s MS office forwarded to us the ‘Burns Prospectus’ which made clear that Magor & Undy is one of 6 new stations (being built in pairs) and that is part of what Ken Skates called an ‘absolutely transformational project’ and confirmed that Welsh and UK Governments are working in partnership to agree a pipeline of rail infrastructure priorities within the economic constraints
2) Transport Forum – Having followed up on the cancellation of the Transport Forum we have now been told that it was simply a matter of postponement, and a new date has since been published (8/11/24). The Forum gives MAGOR the opportunity to keep pressing for Magor & Undy to be a quick win (perhaps one of the first pair of stations)
3) The MP and MS meeting – We were pleased to meet Catherine Fookes MP, also attended by John Griffiths MS, at a meeting in the Golden Lion last Monday. It was very much a bringing Catherine up to speed with progress, but it was great to learn that she had already arranged a meeting with the Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy, on the 27th November to which members of the MAGOR would be welcome to attend. Other actions taken away were – John and Catherine would press for a meeting with Ken Skates (even if only a ‘virtual’ meeting). MAGOR would also contact him again to remind him of the reassurance he gave back in May 2017! Phil Inskip (MAGOR member) explained that there was a current UK legal embargo on Transport for Wales to provide additional cross-border trains (e.g. to Bristol) and, if this could be lifted, it would further improve the case for Magor. Catherine agreed to investigate this.
4) Jessica Morden MP – As Jessica is no longer our MP, MAGOR group purchased a small engraved, keepsake gift (well below the declarable limit), in recognition for all the work she has done over the years in promoting the MAGOR cause. The engraved ‘gin glass’ was present to her by Ted Hand at a recent TRACS (Towards Restoring a Caerleon Station) meeting. We are sure Jess will give Catherine and John all the support she can in carrying the Magor & Undy Walkway Station torch forward.
Let’s just hope the finances, controlled by the new UK government, allow progress to continue!
All for now.
Paul
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