Labour accused of dirty tricks as row over future of Maesteg Hospital intensifies

Concerns about the hospital have been building for months as Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board develops plans for a new Health and Wellbeing Centre for the Llynfi Valley. The board says it has access to around £30 million of Welsh Government funding to expand local services, but that the existing hospital site cannot be redeveloped within that budget. That position has fuelled fears about the loss of beds, the future of the building and whether the community is being properly consulted.

The latest flashpoint came after Labour representatives claimed that protest organisers, including Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate Dean Ronan, had “declined to engage” with the health board. The allegation appeared in a series of letters signed by Huw Irranca‑Davies MS, David Rees MS, Stephen Kinnock MP and local councillors, who accused some campaigners of “politicising” the issue.

Labour representatives wrote:

We now understand that you have indeed reached out to the main organisers – including a candidate for the Liberal Democrats – and they have declined to engage with you.

They also warned that the £30 million investment must not be put at risk.

Labour representatives wrote:

We certainly do not want to lose the £30m which Welsh Government have already put forward… this matter is of such huge importance it should be well beyond party politics.

Dean Ronan has rejected the claim outright, saying he has never been contacted by the health board and could not have refused a meeting that was never offered.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

Not once have I been contacted about the future of Maesteg Hospital. I could not have declined a meeting that was never offered. If Labour or the health board have evidence to the contrary, they should publish it immediately.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the campaign to protect the hospital has always been community‑led and cross‑party, involving the League of Friends, independent councillors and Plaid Cymru candidates. They argue that the focus should be on the future of services, not political point‑scoring.

David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson, said:

This looks like a classic dirty tricks operation — brief against local campaigners, make untrue claims, and hope nobody challenges them.

On Sunday, Dean Ronan issued a new public statement confirming that he had been invited to meet Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies to discuss the future of healthcare in Maesteg. He said he was open to meeting, but only if a public apology was issued for what he described as “false statements” made about him earlier in the week.

Dean Ronan, Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate, said:

I informed Huw that I would be open to meeting with him and sharing my views, on the condition that a public apology was issued by himself and the local councillors who attached their names to false statements made about me earlier this week. I was told that Huw would not issue a public apology, as he did not wish to focus on ‘politics or personalities’. As a result, I have declined the meeting.”

He said the issue was not political, but personal.

Mr Ronan added:

Morally, it does not sit right with me to allow lies to be told or left unchallenged. These are my values as a person, not a political position. The people of Maesteg deserve representatives who are honest and transparent at all times. Integrity and honesty matter more to me than any party policy.”

He added that he remained open to dialogue if a public apology was issued.

What the health board says it is planning

Behind the political row sits a much larger debate about what the health board is proposing for the Llynfi Valley.

The board says it wants to deliver a wider range of services locally, including urgent care, expanded outpatient clinics, mental health support, integrated community teams and space for third‑sector wellbeing organisations. It argues that these improvements cannot be delivered within the existing hospital buildings, which would cost at least £42 million to redevelop and potentially up to £48 million if further structural issues are uncovered.

A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said:

We have not taken any decisions to close Maesteg Hospital or sell the site. Whatever the future holds for this important, much‑loved building will take into account the views of local people and the heritage of the site.

The board says it is exploring a potential new site near Ewenny Road, close to Maesteg town centre and the railway station, because it offers better access and can accommodate the size of building required for modern services. It also says it is considering alternatives to hospital‑based community beds, including block‑booking beds in local nursing homes for rehabilitation, reablement and palliative care.

The health board said in its latest update:

Local people who are anxious about the future deserve the facts. We will continue to meet with representatives and provide information through other means.

Calls for transparency and engagement

Labour representatives say they share concerns about the future of the hospital building and have urged the board to protect the site’s heritage. They argue that the building is iconic and must not be left “empty or unloved”.

Labour representatives wrote:

There is no‑one in these communities who would allow this iconic building to lie empty or unloved or unused.

They also said they have pressed the health board to meet urgently with the League of Friends and all elected representatives, and that the board has now agreed to do so.

The health board says it has already held engagement events and will carry out further public consultation once more detailed work on both the existing site and the potential new site is complete. A decision on the preferred location is expected in early 2026.

For now, the political row continues to overshadow the process, with both sides accusing the other of misrepresenting the facts. What remains clear is that the future of Maesteg Hospital — its services, its beds and its building — has become one of the most contentious local issues in years, and the community is demanding answers.

Banking lifeline finally opens in Ystradgynlais after three‑year fight

After years without a single bank on the high street, Ystradgynlais residents can at last walk through the doors of a permanent banking hub. The new facility on Commercial Street is the result of a dogged three‑year campaign that saw locals, businesses and community leaders refuse to take “no” for an answer.

The town was left high and dry in 2023 when Lloyds shut its branch despite posting record profits. Public meetings followed, petitions were signed, and applications were lodged with LINK — the body that decides where hubs go. The first bid was rejected, but campaigners pushed back, challenging the data and dragging regulators to Ystradgynlais to see the need for themselves.

That persistence paid off. A temporary hub opened in May, and now a permanent site has been unveiled at 14 Commercial Street, SA9 1HD.

How the hub will serve the town

After years of being left without a single counter service, locals can now walk into the new Commercial Street hub and deal with real people again. Doors are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with different banks taking turns to staff the desks.

• Mondays bring Barclays back to town, giving customers face‑to‑face access that vanished when branches closed.
• Tuesdays are still waiting for a banker to be confirmed, but campaigners say it’s only a matter of time before another name is added.
• Midweek sees Lloyds return on Wednesdays, a striking turnaround after the bank pulled out of Ystradgynlais in 2023.
• HSBC takes the Thursday slot, offering services to residents who once had to travel miles for help.
• Fridays finish with Halifax on hand, rounding off the week with another big name back on the high street.

Victory after years of pressure

The fight to bring banking back to Ystradgynlais wasn’t easy. Applications were rejected, data was disputed, and regulators had to be shown around the town to see the need first‑hand.

At the opening, local MP David Chadwick called it “fantastic news for Ystradgynlais” and reflected on the long road to success:

“After months of pressure, rejected applications and persistent campaigning, including personally showing the Banking Hub regulator around our vibrant town, I’m delighted we’ve secured a permanent, long‑term hub on Commercial Street.

“I launched this campaign to make sure communities like Ystradgynlais and the surrounding area aren’t cut off from essential services.

“Securing a permanent Banking Hub is a major step in ensuring our towns remain supported, connected and able to thrive.

“I will continue pushing to ensure that facilities like this remain protected and that no community in our area is left behind.”

Senedd Member Jane Dodds also welcomed the news, adding:

“Access to banking is not a luxury; it is a necessity, particularly for older residents, small businesses, and those who rely on cash. This hub will make a real and lasting difference.”

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New figures reveal Wales set to lose £6bn in rail funding row

Billions lost, investment bypasses rural Wales

Wales is set to miss out on another £1.3–£1.6 billion in transport funding after the UK Labour Government confirmed Northern Powerhouse Rail will go ahead as an “England and Wales” project.

The scheme, designed to link Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds, will not include a single centimetre of track in Wales. By classifying it as “England and Wales”, the Treasury avoids triggering Barnett consequentials that would have delivered funding for Welsh rail.

It follows similar decisions on HS2, the high‑speed line between London, Birmingham and Manchester, and East‑West Rail, which links Oxford and Cambridge. Together, those projects have already cost Wales up to £4.3 billion in lost investment. Combined, campaigners say Wales could now be short by around £6 billion.

Scotland and Northern Ireland cash in

While Wales is left empty‑handed, Scotland is set to receive £2.7 billion and Northern Ireland just under £1 billion as a result of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

A Treasury spokesperson said:

“Wales will benefit from £445 million of rail investment over the next decade — the biggest ever funding boost for Welsh rail.”

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has also defended the classification of projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail as “England and Wales” schemes, arguing that Wales benefits indirectly from improved connections across the UK rail network.

Welsh Government stresses cooperation

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:

“We will continue to press for further commitments, including electrification of the North and South Mainlines, which remain vital for Wales’s future.”

She added that the settlement would deliver “significant extra investment in rail infrastructure” and emphasised the need for cooperation between governments.

Opposition parties cry foul

Plaid Cymru Westminster leader Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

“Wales is owed billions from HS2 and now Northern Powerhouse Rail. Labour has failed to address chronic underfunding of our railways, and our communities are paying the price.”

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth also accused Labour of leaving Wales “short‑changed again” and said the First Minister had “no influence” over her Westminster colleagues.

Lib Dems demand devolved powers

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

“This Labour Government is deliberately depriving Welsh communities of billions of pounds in transport funding, whilst expecting a pat on the back for delivering crumbs.

Labour has the power to change the system and stop these funding scandals, but has made its position clear — they are happy for Wales to be left behind, paying for megaprojects in England whilst our own rail and transport infrastructure collapses.”

Mid and West Wales left behind

Local campaigners say the funding gap is most keenly felt in Mid and West Wales, where rail services remain patchy and major projects have stalled.

Carl Peters‑Bond, independent candidate for the new Caerfyrddin constituency in next year’s Senedd elections, said:

“We’re told Wales is getting investment, but Mid and West Wales see none of it. Communities from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth are crying out for rail connectivity, yet billions are being spent on lines hundreds of miles away. It’s a betrayal of rural Wales.

Both Westminster and Cardiff need to stop playing politics and start building the infrastructure our communities desperately need. People here don’t want excuses — they want action.”

West Wales line campaign highlights the gap

The row comes just days after campaigners renewed calls for funding to restore the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth rail line, axed in the 1960s.

As Swansea Bay News reported at the weekend, supporters say reopening the line would transform connectivity across West Wales, boost the economy, and cut car dependency. Campaigners argue that the billions Wales is missing out on could easily fund projects like the Carmarthen–Aberystwyth line, yet instead the money is being spent on rail schemes in England.

Creaking infrastructure, growing anger

With rail electrification stalled and public transport under strain, campaigners warn the funding gap leaves Wales at risk of falling further behind.

The row adds to growing pressure on Labour to explain why Wales is repeatedly excluded from consequential funding, while neighbouring nations benefit.

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#CarlPetersBond #CarmarthenToAberystwythRailLink #DavidChadwickMP #EastWestRail #ElunedMorganMS #HS2 #HS3 #LizSavilleRobertsMP #NorthernPowerhouseRail #PlaidCymru #politics #railInvestment #RhunApIorwerthMS #UKLabour #WelshLabour #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Welsh Lib Dems call on One‑Nation Conservatives to join them as party pitches to be new home of business

David Chadwick MP, speaking at the Welsh Liberal Democrat conference in Wrexham, accused the Conservatives of “disintegrating before our eyes” and abandoning their traditions of responsibility in favour of Reform UK‑style populism.

Chadwick attacks Conservatives over rule of law

In his keynote address, Chadwick pointed to Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch’s call for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights as proof that the Conservatives had “turned their backs on the rule of law and international cooperation.”

He also criticised talk of dismissing judges for supposed “activism”, describing it as “a government veering into anarchy while wearing a blue rosette.”

Pitch to business and entrepreneurs

Chadwick told delegates that as the Conservatives collapse, many moderate voters and entrepreneurs are searching for a political home that values both enterprise and fairness.

He argued that the Welsh Liberal Democrats are now the party of business and the economy, committed to free markets, free trade, and supporting small firms that drive local prosperity. The party, he said, would focus on cutting bureaucracy and post‑Brexit red tape, backing exporters, and creating conditions where innovation and investment can thrive alongside strong public services.

Call for ‘decent’ One‑Nation Conservatives to switch sides

Chadwick said the party would welcome anyone “who believes in decency, responsibility and a thriving private sector that serves communities, not just shareholders.”

“The Conservative Party that once stood for stability, enterprise and community no longer exists,” he said.

“It has been reduced to a hollow slogan machine, obsessed with culture wars, blind to community, and utterly lost on the economy.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are ready to take up that mantle. We are the new party of business; pro‑market, pro‑enterprise, pro‑community.

“To every decent, One‑Nation Conservative in Wales: You don’t have to choose between extremism and irrelevance. If you still believe in fairness, in community, in the rule of law and responsibility, in building a Wales with a thriving private sector, there is a home for you here.”

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Minister agrees to visit Godre’r Graig school after six years in portacabins

Pupils at the school have been taught in temporary portacabins miles from their community since the original building was closed and demolished in 2019. Despite a funding application for a replacement school being submitted by Neath Port Talbot Council, no decision has yet been made — and Welsh Government officials are reportedly assessing the proposal as if it were for a brand-new school.

“This isn’t a new school — it already exists”

Raising the issue in the Senedd this week, Sioned Williams MS, who represents South Wales West, urged the Cabinet Secretary to meet with school leaders and “understand the exceptional context” of the application.

“What is of concern to me is the impact on the many learners at Godre’r Graig School who have never been educated in a permanent school building in their own community,” she said. “This isn’t a ‘new school’ — the school already exists.”

Ms Neagle confirmed she was “very happy to visit the school,” and acknowledged the wider impact of the situation on Welsh suppliers and families.

Community frustration grows over delays

The funding application is being considered under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Nine-Year Rolling Programme, but concerns have been raised about the criteria being applied. A letter from Welsh Government officials reportedly referenced the impact a “new school” could have on pupil numbers at neighbouring schools — but not the disruption already affecting Godre’r Graig pupils.

David Chadwick MP, Liberal Democrat Member for the area, has also written to the Cabinet Secretary urging urgent action:

“Five years after its closure, pupils are still being taught in temporary offsite portacabins. These facilities are not suitable for long-term education, and parents continue to raise concerns about uncomfortable temperatures and extended daily travel.”

He called for clarity on the timeline for reviewing the application, the criteria being used, and whether any interim support would be offered to improve current learning conditions.

Rejected super school plan still casts a shadow

The original proposal to merge schools in the Swansea Valley into a single “super school” was overwhelmingly rejected by the local community in 2021. Campaigners argued that the plan would strip three communities of their local primary schools, including Godre’r Graig.

With the demolition of the original building now complete, campaigners say the lack of a permanent replacement risks undermining the future of a successful school — and leaving a generation of learners without a stable, community-based education.

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Digital ID plans spark political row in Wales

UK Government sets out plan for smartphone IDs

The UK Government confirmed last week that a digital ID scheme will be rolled out before the next general election, due by 2029. Under the plans, every adult working in the UK will be required to hold a digital ID card stored on their smartphone.

The IDs will include details such as name, residency status, date of birth, nationality and a photo. Ministers argue the system will make it harder for people without legal status to work, while also simplifying everyday checks for services such as driving licences, childcare and welfare.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the scheme would “make our borders more secure.”

🖥️ What is a digital ID?

Digital ID card
Stored on smartphones, showing name, residency status, date of birth, nationality and a photo.

Purpose
Used for Right to Work checks and access to services like driving licences and childcare.

Rollout
UK Government says it will be introduced before the next general election, due by 2029.

Concerns
Critics warn of costs, civil liberties risks, and digital exclusion for those without smartphones.

First Minister backs rollout and demands Welsh flag on IDs

In Wales, First Minister Eluned Morgan has given her backing to the policy, telling BBC Wales she wants the Welsh flag to appear on IDs issued here.

“That is something that I’m definitely going to be pushing with the UK government,” she said.

Morgan added that she is pressing for additional funding to ensure the rollout does not disadvantage Wales.

Opposition brands digital ID a ‘red line’ for civil liberties

The proposals have been met with fierce criticism from opposition benches.

David Chadwick MP, who represents Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, described the idea of a mandatory digital ID as “crossing a red line.” He warned it risked undermining long‑standing civil liberties while doing little to fix problems in the immigration system.

Chadwick argued that the billions earmarked for the scheme would be better spent on clearing the asylum backlog through properly resourced processing centres, or on improving the NHS.

Welsh Conservatives have also voiced strong opposition. In the Senedd, Darren Millar MS challenged the First Minister to justify her support, claiming the scheme would cost Wales up to £1 billion in lost funding.

“Labour’s plans for digital IDs will not stop illegal migration and will come at an unacceptable cost to taxpayers,” he said.

Poll shows Wales more opposed than rest of UK

The debate comes against a backdrop of divided public opinion. A YouGov poll published on 26 September found 42% of people across Britain supported the introduction of digital ID cards, while 45% opposed them.

In Wales, opposition was stronger, with 35% of respondents saying they were “strongly opposed” compared to just 13% who strongly supported the idea.

Rollout due before 2029 with consultation promised

The UK Government insists the scheme will be free to download, with alternatives for those without smartphones, and says a public consultation later this year will help shape the design.

For now, though, the announcement has opened up a new political fault line in Wales, with the First Minister pressing for a Welsh‑branded rollout while her opponents warn of costs, risks and a loss of civil liberties.

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Thousands of shoplifting cases go unsolved in South Wales and Dyfed‑Powys as charge rates remain low

House of Commons Library data obtained by the Welsh Liberal Democrats shows that in 2024‑25, 6,734 shoplifting investigations in South Wales and 946 in Dyfed‑Powys were closed with no suspect identified. That’s the equivalent of more than 21 incidents a day going unsolved across the two force areas combined.

South Wales Police recorded a charge rate of 25.3%, while Dyfed‑Powys Police charged or summoned suspects in just 13.6% of cases. Across Wales, 13,077 shoplifting investigations were closed without a suspect — around 35 a day.

The Liberal Democrats say the figures highlight the scale of the problem and the impact on local businesses, warning that shoplifting is “not a victimless crime” and that staff are increasingly at risk from persistent offenders.

David Chadwick MP, Welsh Liberal Democrat for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, said:

“These shameful figures show the impact years of cuts to our police by the Conservatives had on society. This Labour government must now right these wrongs and crack down on shoplifting. Shoplifting is at epidemic levels in Wales now, with many business owners feeling like it has all but been decriminalised and many retail staff increasingly being put in harm’s way.”

Cllr Sam Bennett, the party’s Senedd candidate for Gwyr Abertawe (Swansea & Gower), added:

“Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; it does a huge amount of damage to our local businesses and those who work in them. It’s time for the government to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners and invest the money in frontline policing instead. That way we can get more bobbies on the beat and stop this lawlessness on our high streets.”

The party is calling for the role of Police and Crime Commissioners to be abolished, with the funds redirected to frontline policing.

Wider picture

Retail trade bodies have previously warned that rising shoplifting rates are linked to organised crime as well as opportunistic theft, and have called for tougher enforcement alongside better support for shop workers.

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MP calls on Lloyds CEO to halt closure of Pontardawe branch

Speaking in Parliament, the Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP condemned the wave of bank closures across rural Wales. He described it as a betrayal of loyal customers who have been abandoned in the name of profit.

He criticised Lloyds CEO Charlie Nunn, who received a five point six million pound pay package last year while overseeing the closure of more than one hundred and forty branches including those in Presteigne, Ystradgynlais and Brecon, and now Pontardawe. David Chadwick MP accused him of disregarding and causing ‘misery’ to elderly and vulnerable people throughout his constituency.

Commenting, David Chadwick MP said: “Lloyds claims it is closing branches due to lack of footfall. Yet in Pontardawe the queues regularly run out the door. That is not a lack of demand. It is a deliberate choice to walk away from loyal customers.

“Charlie Nunn took home over five and a half million pounds last year. His customers in Pontardawe are being offered nothing more than a visit to community banker once a month. It is insulting, and it must be put right.

“The planned closure of the Lloyds branch in Pontardawe has sparked much local anger. With more than five hundred residents signing a petition asking for it to remain open.

“The closure would leave thousands of people in the Swansea Valley without access to in-person banking. These are people who have entrusted Lloyds with their life savings, who Lloyds have profited off for decades.

“The banks may have forgotten their customers in Wales, but I have not.

“That is why I am calling on Lloyds CEO, Charlie Nunn to reverse this decision and show some understanding of the harm these closures are causing.”

#bankClosure #DavidChadwickMP #LloydsBank #Pontardawe #WelshLiberalDemocrats

MP calls for devolved rail powers after ‘shocking’ £6.6bn project delivers nothing for Wales

The decision follows a pattern of major rail projects (including HS2) being wrongly classed as “England and Wales” schemes, meaning Wales is denied the funding it would otherwise receive through the Barnett formula. The classification was revealed by local Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick following a written question in Parliament, which was answered by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Simon Lightwood.

Speaking in the House of Commons today, David Chadwick MP condemned the decision as “shocking” and called on the UK Government to urgently devolve full powers over rail infrastructure to Wales, so future English projects can no longer be used to side-line Welsh investment.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats estimate that Wales would have received over £360 million in consequential funding from the East-West Rail project alone. Independent experts estimate Wales has lost over £4 billion as a result of similar misclassifications in recent years.

The party continues to campaign for this project to be reclassified as “England only,” for a fair funding settlement for Wales, for full devolution of transport infrastructure to the Senedd, and for sustained investment in Welsh rail services, including long-overdue improvements to the Heart of Wales Line.

Commenting, David Chadwick MP said: “It is simply indefensible that Wales continues to be frozen out of hundreds of millions in rail funding for projects that do not lay a single centimetre of track in our country. We saw this with HS2, with Northern Powerhouse Rail, and now again with East-West Rail. Time after time, Wales is left behind.

“It is clear that someone in this labour government is out to deliberately short-change Wales. The only way forward is to devolve full powers over rail infrastructure to Wales so we can make decisions that serve our own communities.

“Wales must be able to invest properly in its own rail network. That includes delivering serious improvements to the Heart of Wales Line, which has been neglected for decades.

“Investment in lines such as the Heart of Wales Line would make a meaningful difference to Wales, unlike a rail project hundreds of miles away between Oxford and Cambridge. This line is a lifeline for rural communities, supporting jobs, education and tourism, and it deserves the same level of ambition and investment as rail services elsewhere in the UK.”

Meanwhile a former Swansea Labour MP has also criticised the UK Labour Government for Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s latest £15.6bn transport investment announcement, where she missed Wales out entirely.

Geraint Davies called for the Welsh Government and Welsh MPs to “step-up so Wales can get it’s fair share” and for Wales’ rail infrastructure to be devolved.

#DavidChadwickMP #HeartOfWales #railFunding #railInvestment #Railway #UKGovernment #WelshLiberalDemocrats

Claims that ‘Swansea Valley forgotten again’ as area missed out of Welsh Government transport grant announcement

Neath Port Talbot Council has been awarded nearly £5.7 million through the Local Authority Transport Grants for 2025–26. This includes £990,000 for the Neath to Cimla Active Travel Route, £730,000 for carriageway improvements in Cymmer, £440,000 for the Neath Integrated Transport Hub, and £1.6 million for drainage improvements on Fabian Way. Further funding has been awarded for a range of road safety and training initiatives.

However, critics say that none of this funding has been directed towards the Swansea Valley, despite the area facing serious transport and economic challenges. While investment has been concentrated in Neath and Port Talbot – areas already benefitting from stronger transport links, including rail connectivity – the Swansea Valley, which has no direct rail services and limited infrastructure, has once again been left behind.

Although approximately £800,000 has been allocated for wider Active Travel and road safety schemes, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have argued that this does little to address the urgent need for meaningful infrastructure investment in the Swansea Valley.

David Chadwick MP (Brecon, Radnor, and Cwm Tawe) has called on the Welsh Labour Government to urgently rethink its priorities and deliver real investment to communities that have been consistently overlooked, warning that continued neglect of former industrial areas like the Swansea Valley will only deepen regional inequalities.

David Chadwick MP said: “Once again, the Welsh Labour Government have forgotten the Swansea Valley.”

“None of the almost £5 million awarded to Neath Port Talbot for transport projects has been earmarked for the Swansea Valley, an area with already inadequate transport links.”

“Although a small amount of funding has been allocated to wider initiatives such as ‘pedestrian training’, this does not come close to addressing the lack of serious investment in the Swansea Valley.”

“The people of Swansea Valley deserve more than being an afterthought. Over and over, the Welsh Labour Government promise fair funding across Wales. Yet the money flows straight to already well-connected areas with established transport and rail links, while communities like those in the Swansea Valley are left behind.”

“The Government must stop neglecting the Swansea Valley and commit to a fair and consistent transport strategy.”

#DavidChadwickMP #NeathPortTalbot #Pontardawe #SwanseaValley #Transport #WelshGovernment #WelshLiberalDemocrats #Ystalyfera