It’s been a few months since I last posted – my apologies – but I am still optimistic! In late February we thought that the chancellor’s ‘Spring Spending Review’, on which the progression of ‘Magor & Undy Walkway’ depended, was just around the corner. Unfortunately, that review turned into the early Summer Review, which has now been delivered, as I’m sure you all know. So, what’s in it for ‘Magor’? Anything?
To be fair, putting aside the politics and questions about whether the numbers add up, for Wales it is like the proverbial ‘Curate’s Egg’ – good in parts. It took some pulling apart, but it seems that Wales has been granted £445m for rail enhancements. This includes £300m for a range of rail developments across Wales (including the Burns Review stations), £48m for the ‘Core Valley Lines and around £90m for planning and development of future projects. We know that £300m is not enough to complete the relief line upgrade, on which it is said that the new stations are dependent. We also know, as we have been pointing out for years, Magor and Undy Walkway, unlike the other four stations, is NOT reliant on the upgrade, as the existing infrastructure (points and signals) is adequate to accommodate the new platforms and train services.
Our supportive MPs, past and present, Jessica Morden MP and Catherine Fookes MP have both welcomed the announcement. Catherine has said (see her Instagram) that it is brilliant news, Magor station is coming soon and that she can’t wait to see spades in the ground. True, but how soon is soon? From our past experiences there will always be more talking about potential barriers and heel-dragging. So, MAGOR’s job now is to not let that happen. We will need to remind and convince the authorities that ‘Magor’ can and MUST be the first station to be delivered by using around £10m of the £300m . Ted Hand and Cllr. Frances Taylor have already been on ITV news to make the point and members of the MAGOR group are meeting Ken Skates (WG’s Transport Secretary), at the Senedd later this month, to drive this point home.
So, good news, but will as always rely on your continued support to get our station over the line (no pun intended).
More news soon.
Paul
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