While we wait . . .

. . . for the expected report from Transport for Wales on the progress and options from the development of the South Wales Main Line Corridor, including the new stations, here are some other pieces of news –

In the middle of January, Ted Hand and I met GWR’s Growth Manager, Rich Middleton, to gauge GWR’s level of support for Magor and Undy Walkway station. Rich was well aware of ‘Magors’ inclusion within the Burns Delivery Programme and was enthusiastic about its concept of being a ‘walk, cycle, bus to or drop-off” station. GWR are very supportive of the need to improve active and sustainable travel modes to stations they serve, and thought it could well be a model for the future.
In early February, Ted Hand, Phil Inskip, Cllr. Angela Sandles and Cllr. John Crook met John Griffiths SM and a number of Senedd Members, at the Senedd, to encourage the Welsh Parliament to push for ‘Magor’ to be a quick win in terms of the Burns Delivery Programme. The following week, John tabled a Statement of Opinion calling for the station to be a quick win for the Burns Delivery Unit. The Group thanks John and his Senedd colleagues for this unqualified support. Incidentally, we were also informed that the Senedd Petitions Committee have agreed to keep our ‘Quick Win’ petition open and under continuous review for another six months.
As recognised by the Senedd, MAGOR has been pursuing its objective for more than a decade. This dedication has also seemingly been noticed in another quarter, as we have been informed that the group is about to receive an award from the High Sherriff of Gwent later this month. Amazing!
As if we didn’t have enough support for Magor & Undy Walkway, Ted is, as always, on the look-out for more backers. At a recent MAGOR meeting, he suggested that he should write to the new Prince of Wales (Prince William) to seek his support. ‘Go for it Ted’, we said. A couple of weeks later, Ted received a response from Kensington Palace saying that, “Although His Royal Highness couldn’t become personally involved, he recognised the carefully considered environmental impact and wished the group the very best with its endeavours”. Well done Ted!
Finally, in December last year, I reported on our positive meeting with Professor Simon Gibson CBE, Chair of the Burns Delivery Board. At the meeting he confirmed that the Board’s annual report would be out in February. It’s a report that really explains the breadth and depth of the programme, which is now set against the challenges of a downturned economy. It’s well worth a read and of course you will see where ‘Magor’ sits within this huge development programme. You can read the report by clicking here.