After the school walk and there’s more . . . .

A few interesting updates this month but more on those later.

Firstly, at the end of last month preparations were underway for the annual ‘Walk to School’ day.

Here are two reports on how it went . . . .

 Councillor Victoria Hammett-Johnson’s Report

It was a pleasure to be part of the Magor with Undy Walk to School Day.

The morning began with a positive discussion at the Hub with Mark Hooper, Deputy Minister for Transport, Peter Fox MS, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, County Councillor Frances Taylor, and members of the Magor Action Group On Rail: Ted Hand, Paul Turner, Phil Inskip and Laurence Hando. It was encouraging to see so many people united in their commitment to making the Magor Walkway Station a reality. A special thank you goes to County Councillor Frances Taylor, one of MAGOR’s founding members, who has worked tirelessly to champion this project and keep it firmly on the agenda over many years. We also greatly appreciate the long-standing support of Peter Fox MS, who has consistently backed MAGOR’s vision. It was fantastic to have so many key people together in one room, all focused on turning that vision into reality.

We then walked to the proposed station site before joining families taking part in Walk to School Day. Along the route, we were joined by Monmouthshire County Council’s Active Travel team, our local PCSO and traffic enforcement officers. The group then visited both Undy Primary School and Magor Church in Wales Primary School. It was a privilege to speak at Undy Primary’s assembly and see so many children walking to school while learning about the importance of active travel. A huge thank you to every child who took part with such enthusiasm—you were a credit to your schools. Thank you also to the teachers and staff at both schools for such a warm welcome, and to TfW for donating goodies to share with the pupils. 

Today was about more than walking to school. It was also about recognising the incredible dedication of the Magor Action Group On Rail. For over 14 years, they have refused to give up, keeping the vision of a Walkway Station alive despite being told in the early days that it would never happen. MAGOR has been told on good authority that, without the group’s dedication, determination and durability, the station would never have been included in the five proposed stations. That is an extraordinary achievement and a powerful example of what a determined community can accomplish. A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored today’s event, helping MAGOR donate 50p for every child who walked to school to each school’s PTFA. Thank you also, to every parent, grandparent and carer who took part, and to everyone who helped make the day such a positive and inspiring community event. Together, we’re supporting healthier, more sustainable travel while showing the next generation the power of perseverance, community and teamwork.

Ted Hand’s Report

Friday the 3rd of July was the MAGOR Walk to School Day. The event was a massive success with a total of 408 pupils walking to their respective schools. For every pupil who walked to school MAGOR has donated 50p = £204 from our funds. This is money that came from you the community, going back to benefit of the community. Some generous folks and businesses who wish to remain anonymous of the community donated a fantastic sum of £247. Transport for Wales  donated a big box of goodies

Firstly, I wish to pay tribute to the pupils and parents for their active participation. The Head Teachers and staff of Magor CIW Primary School and Nursery Unit, Undy Primary School for their contributions and support.  Also, thank you to Mark Hooper MS, Deputy Minister for Transport, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Peter Fox OBE MS, Councillors Sara Burch and Zuzka Hilton for their support and contributions. Councillor Victoria Hammett-Johnson , Mayor Frances Taylor, and Rachel Jones MUCC for organising and running such a successful event. Additionally, the support of Gwent Police Monmouthshire Active Travel Road Safety Team in making it run efficiently, Also, thanks to Kari Davies, the Manager of Magor and Undy Community Hub, for opening early for the event  and finally, Councillor Owen Hammett-Johnson for doing such a superb job photographing the event [Click here for all the pictures of the day].

  Following our highly successful Walk to School Day the scores are now in. 

• Magor Church in Wales School- 178 pupils walked to school.

• Undy Primary School- 230 pupils walked to school

• In total – 408 pupils participated in the Walk to School Day event. This is about 66% of the school’s population. 

The amount due to each school is:-

• Magor Church in Wales School. 

• Total due           £212.50

• Undy Primary School.

• Total due           £238.50

In the words of Jimmy Cricket, “And there’s more….”

Firstly, we received this email from Transport for Wales –

Update on Southeast Wales New Stations and Services  – 26^th June 2026

We wanted to provide a quick update on the proposed five new stations between Severn Tunnel Junction and Cardiff Central  (Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Somerton, Newport West and Cardiff East).

Since April, we have started to receive the funding towards surveys and outline design, planning, consents and site-specific investigations. All of this will contribute to the full business case, before we move into delivery in future years.

TfW and Network Rail are in the process of arranging stakeholder meetings from September to start shaping the discussion with organisations and key stakeholders. More information on these sessions will be shared in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, our teams will start to contact landowners this week as we carry out surveys to help shape future design, planning and decision-making. We will be working closely with landowners to arrange access when required.

If you do get any questions or concerns on the survey work, please do get in touch with us.

Many thanks,

Kelsey Barcenilla

Engagement Manager Transport for Wales

3 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF37 4^TH

Next, on invitation from Peredur Owen Griffiths SM,  MAGOR members, Laurence Hando, Phil Inskip and Ted Hand visited the Senedd. You can view their full report by [clicking here] but the key points from the visit were –

They met with newly elected Plaid Cymru MS Donna Cushing and MS Matthew Jones to discuss the future of the Magor & Undy Walkway Station.

Here is what our members put forward:

• Faster Timeline: The official Burns Report targets a 2030 opening, but we believe our community deserves it much sooner.

• Cost-Effective Design: Our original plan uses existing tracks and signalling, saving millions compared to grandiose designs.

• Community First: We are pushing for a low-impact, community-adopted station behind the local Hub, avoiding a “one-size-fits-all” build.

🤝 They are delighted to keep building a productive, business-like relationship with the Welsh Government to deliver for our town! #MagorAndUndy #WalkwayStation #CommunityRail.

Finally, on the ‘Walk to School’ day, I was quite taken with what the Deputy Transport Minister, Mark Hooper, had to say. He came across as very genuine and keen to see Magor and Undy Walkway delivered.  He talked passionately about close members of his family who worked in the rail industry, but he also said that to get an early delivery of ‘Magor’ there would need to be cross-party support.  As I know the two Reform Senedd members for our constituency quite well, I offered to ‘have a word’ to try to convince them of our case, which he indicated would be welcome. So I will!

 That’s it for this month.  Thank you for your continuing support!

Paul