P-05-934 Public Transport in Blaenau Gwent, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 08.07.20

I welcome the improvements to the Train Service into Blaenau Gwent Stations. But this response does not address the Public Transport issues that the Petition raised. The concept of a Integrated Responsive Transport system to my knowledge was first raised in 2019 and is not due to be in operation until late 2020.

I would like to draw the Petition Committee attention to the following:

A4046 Cwm to Aberbeeg Road

This road now has a weight restriction due to a landslip earlier in the year. All Buses now have to detour via Brynmawr to make the journey to Ebbw Vale and Cwm.

Heads of the Valleys : Isolation Fear over road widening plan

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51723736

This will mean Beaufort near Brynmawr could see more traffic as drivers try to get on the Heads of the Valley road at Rassau and off it at Garnylan.

Historically.

I have read a number of Reports \ Strategies dating back to the early 1980's all of these Reports \ Strategies highlight Infrastructure (Public Transport) as being one of the main requirements to Economic Regeneration, so we are 40 Years on with no improvement.

Economic Regeneration

I have read all the documents produced by all bodies involved in Economic Regeneration within Blaenau Gwent. All of these bodies highlight Infrastructure (Public Transport) as being one of the main requirements to Economic Regeneration.

I am also rather concerned to the number of Bodies involved in Regeneration:

Valleys Taskforce.

Blaenau Gwent Enterprise Board

Town Centre Regeneration Taskforce

Blaenau Gwent Economic and Regeneration Department

…...

to name a few.

Blaenau Gwent Council

I am disappointed that Blaenau Gwent Council have not responded to the request for information.

Finally

Could the Petition Committee tell us who are ultimately responsible for Public Transport within Blaenau Gwent.

Many thanks
Steven Roberts