There is now firm evidence that official mileage claims have increased on journeys through Newtown due to drivers having to take diversions or being held in long queues, a Councillor has claimed.
County Councillor and Conservative Assembly Candidate Russell George, who is leading a Campaign to bring an end to the traffic chaos in Newtown has said representatives of the Welsh Ambulance Service and Newtown’s Dial –a- ride service have both contacted him about their increased mileage costs.
He said:
“Members of the ambulance service are complaining that mileage claims have increased on traveling around and through Newtown because of drivers diverting to avoid long tail backs. Newtown Dial-a-Ride have also told me that the Department of Transport, to whom mileage claims must be submitted, have questioned why their fuel costs have increased so significantly from 12 months ago, when their actual mileage has not changed. Dial–a-Ride tell me that they have sent the Department newspaper cuttings of Newtown’s traffic issues to provide an explanation”
Councillor George who aims to attract over 10,000 signatories to his petition and to lead a delegation to Cardiff to demand that the Welsh Assembly Government brings an end to the traffic chaos went onto say:
“The fact that nearly 3000 people have signed the petition in just over 5 weeks demonstrates the strength of feeling”
You can sign the Newtown Transport Petition at Newtown Post office, MP Glyn Davies’ new constituency office in Parkers Lane, Newtown, or you can add your name to the petition online by visiting www.newtowntraffic.com.
