We have another GRIP too . . . .

  • Mott MacDonald (Rail Project Specialists) have now completed both the GRIP1 and GRIP2 studies into the feasibilty of a railway station to serve Magor and Undy.  These reports are the first 2 stages of an 8 stage Network Rail process.  The second report, which follows the ‘output definition’,  is a 120 page analysis that identifies if any options are feasible.  We are pleased to say that the report indentifies 3 potential solutions (basically, platform positionings) that now need further investigation to narrow down to the best choice.  This GRIP2 report has only just come through so there is much work to do in understanding the detail and will include further discussions with Mott MacDonald, Network Rail and Monmouthshire County Council.  Our hope this year is to commission the 3rd and 4th stages (option selection and single option development).  Please  keep on supporting us and ‘liking’ what we are doing.  We will publish both reports on our website (in the documents section) in the near future.  Incidentally, we have just heard that railFuture (a national organisation) has kindly offered to help us fund the next stages.  You can see their newsletter which contains some detail on this by clicking here.

  • We reported recently that MAGOR had joined the fledgling ‘3 Fields Community Trust’.  This trust has the aim of developing a community centre on the 3 Fields site.  MAGOR is very keen to see the long overdue centre built but has an additional interest to see that the centre and the station complement each other.  In addition to us, the trust currently has representation from Magor with Undy Community Council and South East Wales Energy Authority with other groups (e.g. Magor Churchmen, Magor Players and ARC) showing keen interest in joining.  There have been a couple of meetings so far but recently Magor and Undy Community Council (at a special meeting) voted to return unused monies, from a large loan taken out in 2009 to build a community centre, back to Welsh Government (read more here).  This was against the desire of the trust and does seem rather strange timing when a new delivery group (the trust) is just forming.  Nevertheless, MAGOR is hopeful that the trust will become fully established, gain the support of the local population and find new ways to fund the centre.

  • The uniqueness of the Magor and Undy Walkway Station is gaining interest further afield.  We are very happy that the Unviversity of West of England recently contacted us and asked if one of their graduates could use MAGOR as part of his studies.  So earlier this week Ted and I met David Johnson (a lecturer) and Chris Waller (the student) to discuss some specific topic areas. david_and_chris The picture shows David and Chris on the new footbridge by the site of the old Undy Halt.  Further details of Chris’s input to the ‘Magor and Undy Project’ will appear here in due course.

  • Finally, don’t forget our next meeting is on 21st April (Golden Lion) and we will also be at the May Fayre on May 2nd.

Paul

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