PLAID CYMRU SAYS ‘GET ON WITH IT’

Plaid Cymru in Newport has condemned the pointless empty gesture from the Conservatives in Newport in relation to their efforts to have a referendum on the already rejected M4 Relief road - saying we need action to relieve the congestion that affects our city not empty words , waffle or pointless gestures. 

Plaid Cymru broadly welcomes the report of the South East Wales Transport Commission which recommends ways to reduce congestion on the M4 motorway without building a new relief road around Newport.  Plaid Cymru welcomes to call for more investment in public transport, a much better integration and coordination of rail and bus networks and integrated tickets across all services - and we need it now rather than later.

Jonathan T Clark, Plaid Cymru Newport West Senedd candidate said:

“We need practical action, not the pointless empty politics of gesture. We need ground broken to bring the new railway stations that will serve Newport into being, and provide alternative means of getting around our city, and we need it sooner rather than later.”

He said:

“Plaid Cymru welcomes the proposed railway station at Tredegar Park it’s an absolute necessity, but we have serious concerns that no railway station to serve Caerleon / Ponthir has been included, this would a real asset to both communities.” 

Jonathan added:

“Its absence could be interpreted to show a lack of understanding of local transport issues, to literal a linear a focus on the problems of the M4 or a simply a glaring oversight in this case ensuring that the residents of Caerleon / Ponthir have little choice but to drive to Newport, Cwmbran and beyond even to reach another railway station.” 

Jonathan concluded:

“The lack of a proposed railway station to serve the communities of Caerleon / Ponthir needs to be revisited as a matter of urgency if the commission and the Labour in Wales government are serious about providing decent integrated public transport for all parts of Newport and cutting congestion on the M4.” 

Daniel Llewellyn, Plaid Cymru Newport East Senedd candidate, said:

“Plaid Cymru in Newport warmly welcomes the recommendations to create Newport East station in Somerton, as well as long overdue plans new stations at Llanwern and Magor.” 

He added:

“From the perspective of Newport East, the proposed railway stations at Llanwern and Magor are an absolute necessity and with a more frequent affordable rail service.” 

Daniel concluded: 

“A new M48 junction connecting Severn Tunnel Junction to the east would sensibly provide direct bus access and would ease the pressure of car traffic on M4 junction 23A and the roads through Magor. In addition, adding additional bus bays outside Newport Central station would help to build connectivity.”

Plaid Cymru in Newport and Monmouthshire has long called for the existing railway stations to be significantly upgraded as part of the process of creating a functioning South Wales metro.