Politics

20mph policy ‘should be targeted at schools, hospitals and nurseries’

Published

9 months ago

April 19, 2024

WALES’ controversial 20mph policy should be targeted at schools, hospitals and nurseries, the new transport secretary has suggested.

Ken Skates, who was appointed to the cabinet last month, told the Senedd there is widespread support for 20mph in areas where children and older people are at risk.

He stressed that ministers want to undertake a “national listening programme” on 20mph, engaging with businesses, communities and citizens across the country.

Mr Skates said: “There is, I believe, a growing consensus in this debate that we can at least build on that 20mph is right around our schools, hospitals, nurseries.”

The transport secretary, who succeeded Lee Waters in Vaughan Gething’s new look Welsh Government, told the chamber ministers must make sure 20mph zones are truly targeted.

He vowed: “Changes will be done with and for the communities we all serve – with the voice of citizens right at the heart of all we do.”

Mr Skates also signalled a potential change in direction on new roads, emphasising: “We will continue to build new roads.

“Whether that’s to address localised congestion, pinch points and poor air quality, to improve safety, or, for that matter, to adapt our road network to the kind of extreme weather that we’re now seeing here in Wales with alarming regularity – we will build new roads.”

Responding to a Conservative debate on Wales’ “not fit for purpose” policies, Mr Skates pledged to change the tone of debate on transport.

Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow transport secretary, said 20mph has proved hugely unpopular, with a record near-half a million people signing a petition to rescind the policy.

Ms Asghar questioned Welsh Government claims that the policy will save the NHS £92m, saying there is very limited evidence as she called for a detailed breakdown.

Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow transport secretary, said major change is required as she warned that transport is all too often expensive and difficult to access.

The party’s deputy leader told MSs the price of bus tickets has increased at the same time services are being cut, leaving communities isolated.

Ms Jewell warned that Wales lost out on billions through HS2 as she urged the Welsh Government to challenge UK ministers’ decision through the courts.

She said: “We have paid towards impoverishing ourselves. Neither Sunak nor Starmer sees the need to right that wrong. Westminster will always prioritise Westminster, never Wales.”

Highlighting the climate emergency, John Griffiths stressed the importance of a modal shift from road use to public transport and active travel.

The Labour backbencher said five new railway stations in south east Wales will make a major contribution to easing congestion on the M4.

However, the Newport East MS emphasised that rail infrastructure is not devolved and Wales has only received a “paltry share of investment compared to the rest of the UK”.

Peter Fox, the Conservative MS for Monmouth, reiterated calls for a Chepstow bypass, saying the town is regularly gridlocked with an almost two-mile traffic queue.

He told the chamber: “We need to see the shelved road schemes back on the table to boost the economy and get our congested roads moving once again.”

Labour backbencher Carolyn Thomas argued Wales needs to prioritise investing in existing roads which are in a “dire” condition due to “ever-dwindling” budgets.

The North Wales MS said one council ran out of cash to patch potholes last month.

The Conservative motion also raised concerns about a north-south divide, with £50m allocated to the north Wales metro and more than £1bn to the south Wales metro.

But Mr Skates argued it is not comparing like with like because Wales has powers over lines in the south but rail infrastructure in the north remains the UK Government’s responsibility.

The Tory motion was defeated, 15-36, with Plaid Cymru’s amendment also falling, 10-41, before the motion as amended by ministers was agreed, 27-15 with nine abstentions.

News

New 45-metre wind turbine set to be built near Fishguard

Published

7 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to replace a Pembrokeshire community wind turbine which has raised more than £76,000 for local groups with a larger one has been backed despite a recommendation to refuse.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee meeting of January 14, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd sought permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.

The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.

In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.

“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”

Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly-owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine, with community grants awarded through TBG’s Community Climate Fund, amounting to £76,036 to date.

2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun, Parc Cerrig Growers, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture, and Nevern Valley Veg.

The scheme was recommended for refusal on the grounds including “significant detrimental visual impact” on the area, “including areas of high sensitivity in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and in Fishguard,” on the Conservation Areas of Goodwick, Fishguard and Lower Town, Fishguard.

At the January meeting, local member Cllr Jordan Ryan made a call for the scheme to be approved against officer recommendations: “I think it’s a good application, I think it’s good for Pembrokeshire; a single wind turbine isn’t going to affect people in the area too greatly.”

He was backed by Cllr Alistair Cameron, who said he supported the scheme due to “the need to tackle climate change and the economic benefit to the area,” adding: “We have to accept some visual consequences from that, that’s the reality we are in.”

Another in support was Cllr John T Davies, himself the owner of a windfarm scheme, who pointed out the existing turbine was granted on appeal, with any refusal of the latest scheme potentially being overturned by a planning inspector.

The committee’s unanimous backing of the proposal takes the form of a ‘minded to’ support, meaning the proposal will return after a ‘cooling-off’ period to a future meeting as it is against an officer recommendation, and, if supported a second time, will ultimately have to be decided by full council at a later date.

News

Find out more about Coastal Adaptation Project as plans for Newgale progress

Published

8 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will be holding two public engagement events to show people how plans for adapting to the impacts of climate change at Newgale have developed.

The Newgale Coastal Adaption Project has been underway for some time. Through ongoing engagement and information gathering, proposals have now evolved.

At this next phase, the Council wants to share its thoughts and ideas at engagement sessions that will be taking place on Wednesday, 29^th January and Saturday, 1^st February.

Those involved in the Pembrokeshire County Council led project will be on hand to explain the scheme elements making up Phase 1 of the project and answer questions. It is also a chance to share your views with the team.

A key aim of the project is to make sure Newgale is supported to become a resilient community that can adapt to a changing coastline and climate.

The Council has appointed AtkinsRéalis to help with the development of the project due to their fully integrated and specialist environmental services.

The first phase has four main scheme elements – rerouting the Newgale section of the A487, creating a new walking and cycling path through the village, changing access to the beach and coastal businesses and releasing space for the beach to naturally adapt to coastal change.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Resident Services said: “As this project moves forward, we hope that members of the public take the opportunity to find out more about the proposed scheme and are able to comment directly to staff involved in its development.”

Newgale’s shingle bank was affected during storms.

Save the dates

To ensure everyone has an opportunity to have their say, an online appointment system is being run for each public event. To make your booking, please visit www.newgalecoastaladaptation.co.uk

The events are:

Wednesday 29^th January 2025 – Victoria Hall, Roch, 10am to 7pm

Saturday 1^st February 2025 – Memorial Hall, St Davids, 10am to 4pm

News

Citizen sought to join Pembrokeshire County Council’s Audit Committee

Published

12 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is inviting applications for a Lay Member to join its Governance and Audit Committee, with the deadline for submissions extended to January 31.

The role of the Governance and Audit Committee is crucial in ensuring the council’s financial and operational integrity. Responsibilities include scrutinising the council’s financial affairs, assessing risk management, performance, and corporate governance, and making recommendations to improve these areas.

The successful applicant will need to demonstrate an understanding of the value of audit functions and a commitment to accountability, openness, fairness, and sound financial management in the public sector.

However, some restrictions apply. Individuals cannot be appointed if they are:

A member or officer of any local authority.
A former member or officer of a local authority within the last 12 months.
A spouse or civil partner of a member or officer of any local authority.

The appointment will be decided by a panel that includes an independent chairman, three council members, and a community council member. An allowance will be paid for attending committee meetings.

The council encourages applications from all sections of the community.

For more details and an application pack, contact Lydia Cheshire on 01437 775356 or email: [email protected].

The closing date for applications is 31 January 2025.