Quite a busy and progressive month . . .
The BBC finally came up trumps and put together a report on the MAGOR campaign. On the 12th June they interviewed and filmed some of our local supporters and councillors near the proposed site of the ‘down’ platform (in Undy). Sophie Howe, the Future Generations Commissioner, was also interviewed and gave her unreserved support for the station. The result was two reports on the Welsh Lunchtime and Evening news on the 18th June and a feature on Wales Online (which can be viewed here). Many thanks to all who gave up their time to take part in this and to the BBC!
On the 14th of the month I attended a Communty Leaders Lunch, hosted by Magor Baptist Church, representing both the MAGOR and MUCH groups. 
The event was well attended, giving all a chance to ‘network’ with each other and exchange views about our thriving community and we can continue to help it. Jessica Morden MP and John Griffiths AM were also there and Jessica again took the opportunity to praise the MAGOR group for its work in promoting the Walkway station.
On 20th June, Julie and Peter Wilson attended Monmouthshire County Council’s full meeting. Peter spoke on behalf of the MAGOR group to reinforce a motion later tabled by Cllr. Frances Taylor, that the “Council continue to support the unique case for Magor & Undy Walkway station as an exemplar in active travel and building community resilience in the face of climate change”. The motion was carried unanimously. Another broader motion, also carried, which referenced our station, was tabled by Council Leader, Peter Fox. His motion followed the cancellation of the M4 Relief Road. Peter proposed that “This Council now calls on the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to demonstrate commitment and support for other solutions to relieve congestion and infrastructure overload in South Monmouthshire”. The full council meeting can be viewed here on YouTube. Peter Wilson’s speech starts at 3min 50secs into the meeting) with Cllr. Frances Taylor’s motion at 40mins 18secs. A report also appears in the South Wales Argus as ‘Magor Station Calls Renewed by Campaigners’.
Meanwhile, on the same day, Ted and I were up in London meeting senior Department for Transport rail officials. The meeting, in which we were supported by Jessica Morden our MP and Christian Schmidt MCC’s Transport Planning Officer, was most informative and encouraging. We gained a clear feeling that the DfT are still very supportive of the Magor and Undy Walkway concept. We were given some clear guidance on completing the ‘GRIP 3’ process and the new process for entering the New Station Fund ‘pipeline’ process. Jessica was able to use this information, the next day, in a meeting with the Welsh Government’s First Minister, reinforcing the case for ‘Magor’.
Finally, on the 23rd of the month, members of the MAGOR group helped the Magor and Undy Community Hub group (MUCH) with their ‘Duck Race’ on the Mill Stream at the Three Fields Site. The weather was reasonably kind and enjoyed by those attending. It also gave the Group to show the layout of the planned Hub on the field. A full report can be viewed here.
More news next month!
Paul
