Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has arranged a meeting next week of key stakeholders to discuss the proposals for the future of the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency, following Welsh Government plans to abolish the agency and split responsibilities between similar bodies in the North and South.
Representatives from Ceredigion and Powys Council, regional and constituency Assembly Members and the Powys local Government Branch of UNISON have been invited to attend the meeting.
Commenting, Assembly Member Mr Bates said:
“I am deeply concerned that the proposal to remove the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency will lead to a loss of identity for Mid Wales. We have a unique infrastructure, with rurality and sparcity issues creating a challenge for our local authorities and local services which rely heavily on the synergy between Trunk and County activities.
“Powys and Ceredigion Local Authorities have worked very hard to develop a collaborative and efficient model of working, so I do not understand the rationale behind the proposal to abolish the Mid Wales agency. The Welsh Government claims the proposals will deliver around £800,000 savings, but have not provided any detail of where these savings will be found.
“I have asked the Transport Minister for details of the comprehensive review carried out in 2009/10 into the arrangements of the Trunk Road Agencies, which may provide some clarity, but I am yet to receive this information.
“I believe it is important now that key stakeholders meet to discuss the proposals, so that we can provide a unified front and encourage the Welsh Government to think again about the proposals to scrap the Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency.”
