End of year report . . .

THE PLAN. . .

We were looking for some major outcomes for 2016/17 and consequently set ourselves some ‘stretching’ milestone targets. Whilst not hitting all of our objectives, we have made substantial progress.  Please take a look at our end-of-year plan review to see what I mean.

We did not complete the GRIP3 stage in full but we have made significant progress and completed the first phase (“Passenger Demand Forecast and Initial Economic Appraisal”) and this looks very promising.  The technical note, produced by Mott MacDonald for this first phase shows, knowing from the GRIP 2 study that the likely cost of the station would be around £7m, the “Benefits to Cost Ratio” has the potential to be ‘high’ (>2.0).  The detail of the technical note is here.  So, this is great news!  Welsh government wanted to know this information before considering the release of funding to complete GRIP 3. We now aim to have further discussions with them in advance of producing our plan for 2017/18.

Notwithstanding the planned work, we also achieved the following –

  • Engaged the support of another Assembly Member in the campaign – David Rowlands (UKIP)

  • Met with all 4 of the bidding teams for the Wales and Borders / METRO Franchise

  • Taken a lead on and helping to shape the Three Fields Trust (now Magor and Undy Community Hub), in partnership with MCC

  • Submitted a bid to the UK Government’s New Station Fund

  • Contributed to the local politicians and rail user groups’ joint consultation report on the Wales and Border Franchise

  • Engaged interest and support from prospective new local councillors

AND . . .

Yesterday, Ted and I attended, at Nantgarw, a Welsh Government/Transport for Wales consultation event with rail interest groups about the METRO and the Wales and Border Franchise.  It was a workshop-type session and very informative.  During our group’s feedback to the gathering Ted gave a big plug for ‘Magor and Undy Walkway’, it being ‘Swiss model’ – community-driven and environmentally-based and ‘ticking all the boxes’.  Ted received a cheer and round of applause which was really encouraging and well, nice!

FINALLY . . .

It will soon be May Fayre time again.  We will again have a stall there and be pleased to see you for a chat.  We also hope to have something extra for the children this year but more on that next month.  Incidentally, the Churchmen are always looking for extra help to ‘set up and take down’ so if you think you could spare a few hours please let me know and I’ll put you in touch with a contact.

Thanks for your continued support through the year!

Paul

 

 

 

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