Council Pledges Support To Swansea Bay & Western Valleys Metro

COUNCIL PLEDGES SUPPORT TO SWANSEA BAY AND WESTERN VALLEYS METRO
Carmarthenshire Council have pledged their support to the proposed
Swansea Bay and Western Valleys metro idea in an effort to
‘transform’ the region.
After plans to electrify the Great Western Mainline from Cardiff to
Swansea were ditched by the UK Government after the recent General
Election, Professor Mark Barry, the architect of the South Wales metro
project, has recently unveiled plans that would reduce rail journeys
to London and Cardiff, as well as improving public transport in the
region.
It is claimed that the £1bn investment in rail links to and within
the Swansea Bay region would deliver a major boost to the regional
economy.
As part of the Welsh Labour Government’s recent budget deal with
Plaid Cymru, it was announced that money was being put aside to fund
the development of the strategic outline case for the Swansea Bay and
Western Valley metro proposal
The motion tabled by Councillor Rob James, Labour Deputy Leader,
called on Carmarthenshire Council to recognise the importance of a
modern, integrated public transport network in increasing the
connectivity of communities across Carmarthenshire and tackling poor
air quality, support the principles laid out within the Swansea Bay
Metro plan, commit to engaging in any future discussions of a
possible Metro system and advocate that any future proposal includes
the Amman Valley and Carmarthen to ensure the benefits are felt by
towns and villages across Carmarthenshire.
The motion was unanimously supported by Councillors.
Speaking after the vote, Cllr Rob James stated, ‘The initial
proposals laid out by Professor Mark Barry has enormous potential to
begin creating a modern integrated public transport network in the
region.
‘Knocking doors in recent months ahead of the last two elections,
we all heard of the difficulties resident’s face in attending hospital
and doctor appointments, difficulties attending job interviews, going
to work and school, and the growing number of individuals becoming
isolated in our communities, especially the older generation.
‘With major rail infrastructure projects in England, such as HS2
and Crossrail, we are at risk of being left behind. With the UK
Government’s refusal to support communities in Carmarthenshire, we
must be willing to step in and provide the support needed to transform
this region.
‘I am pleased Councillors supported our motion today and I look
forward to seeing the Welsh Government’s outline case for the
metro.’