Burnham challenges Wrexham AMs - are you with us or with Minister? (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats <Brian.Thomas@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk>

Burnham challenges Wrexham AMs - are you with us or with Minister?

September 28, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Eleanor Burnham, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, has challenged the Labour assembly members for Wrexham and Clwyd South to clarify their positions over the new proposed north-south rail link.

Ms Burnham raised the issue in the Welsh Assembly this week after it was revealed that the Assembly funded route of the new Holyhead-Cardiff service is to by-pass Wrexham. Ms Burnham now wants the Labour Assembly representatives for Wrexham and Clwyd South to back her concerns. When challenged by Ms Burnham to account for the government's decision the Leader of the House, Labour's Carwyn Jones, was dismissive. Responding to Ms Burnham's questions he stated: "there will be an easy connection from Shrewsbury." Ms Burnham said: "It is clear from his response that Carwyn Jones feels it is acceptable for Wrexham rail users to miss out on this investment. "Residents in Wrexham will not see any real benefit from the Welsh Assembly Government's plans to spend money on a service via Crewe and instead will have to continue to limp to Shrewsbury to catch a train to Cardiff. "If Lesley Griffiths and Karen Sinclair truly share my concerns then I challenge them to state publicly who they support over this issue - the people of Wrexham and Clwyd South or the Labour Minister who clearly doesn't agree with me." Lib Dem leader of Wrexham council Cllr Aled Roberts, added: "I am pleased that so many Assembly Members have raised this matter in Cardiff since the news became public about these plans. "Wrexham, which is the largest town in north Wales and the third largest conurbation in Wales, will miss out because we are not prepared to be creative in order to allow the service to be routed via Wrexham. "Like Eleanor, I hope these concerns are genuine and not just yet more crocodile tears from some assembly members who will let the Labour/Plaid government off the hook when the chips are down."Ends/Diwedd