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On the 11th September, Ted and I attended Monmouthshire County Council’s Strategic Transport Group (STG). There were presentations from –
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Grand Union Trains, who are proposing to run a new, fast service between South Wales and London. The proposal includes trains calling at Severn Tunnel Junction and a link to the motorway (see the full details in the Wales on Line report)
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AMEY, who are working on behalf of MCC on a scheme to improve access to Severn Tunnel Junction and a new 150-space carpark on the south side of the rail corridor.
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Transport for Wales, who outlined their plans for improving train services in Wales. There appeared to be little in the plans for Monmouthshire, but it was encouraging that TfW are analyzing demographic information (e.g. population densities and proximity to rail services) – Magor and Undy showed up, unsurprisingly, as a hot-spot.
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On the 19th September, our monthly meeting focused on our work with allies and supporters to continue to bring pressure to bear on Welsh Government. We believe that it needs to recognize that Magor & Walkway is a simple and practical way to help mitigate the consequences of the M4 relief road cancellation and for a community to do its bit to address the climate emergency. Consequently, in October we have meetings planned or being arranged, with Professor Mark Barry (The Metro designer), Welsh Government rail officials (where we can hopefully find out what “Magor will be included in the corridor work” means), Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales. We have also negotiated, with the help of Roger Goldsworthy, general manager of The Ty Hotel (formerly Hampton by Hilton), a meeting with the CEO of the Celtic Manor with the aim of gaining their help and support. We also plan, following the STG meeting, to meet representatives from AMEY and Grand Union Trains to explain the ‘Magor and Undy Walkway’ position and its relationship to and potential impact on Severn Tunnel Junction and the implications for Magor with Undy with an increased traffic flows through our village. A station in Magor would certainly help to mitigate those risks
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We are getting increasingly confident that we will soon make the breakthrough we need to get ‘Magor & Undy Walkway’ on the programme of new stations. Earlier, I referred to our ‘allies and supporters’ who have helped us get to this point and continue to help us ‘make it happen’. So, it’s probably opportune to give them all a big thank you and, just so you know who I’m referring to, here is the list.
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Magor with Undy Community Council
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Monmouthshire County Council (councilors and officers) – with particular thanks to Cllr. Peter Fox, Paul Matthews, Cllr. David Dovey, Cllr. Frances Taylor. Cllr. Lisa Dymock and Transport Officer, Christian Schmidt
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Elected politicians; Jessica Morden MP, John Griffiths AM, David Rowlands AM, Delyth Jewell AM and Mark Reckless AM
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Sophie Howe (Future Generations Commissioner)
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Professor Mark Barry
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Roger Goldsworthy (Ty Hotel)
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Proprietors of the Golden Lion
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Members (past and present) of MAGOR and of course all the residents who give their support at the May and Frost Fayres
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Thank you everyone!
Paul
