WAG driving business out of Wales (Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Liberal Democrats)

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

WAG driving business out of Wales

October 2, 2008 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Shocked by an invitation to the 'Wales Fundraisers Conference 2008', to be held in the Gateway Centre in Shrewsbury and backed by the Welsh Assembly Government, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has condemned the Assembly Government for driving business out of Wales, by its failure to invest in an integrated transport network across Wales.

Commenting Mick states:

"I am shocked that a Welsh fundraising conference, supported by the Assembly Government, is being hosted in an English venue! At a time when many businesses are suffering the impact of the credit crunch, a conference which is 'addressing the problems encountered in fundraising in a recession' should be supporting our local Welsh businesses.

"There are excellent conference venues throughout Wales and no shortage of centrally located sites such as Plas Dolerw in Newtown, which offer excellent facilities as well as the opportunity to support Welsh businesses and the local community."

The invitation states that the event will be labelled the 'carbon friendly conference' as the Gateway Centre venue is 'just alongside the train station in Shrewsbury and train services from all parts of Wales are good, therefore saving petrol and fuel costs'.

"It is a sad reflection of the poor transport infrastructure in Wales when the most convenient place to meet is in England" adds Mick. "People are being driven out of Wales but instead of investing in a better North-South public transport infrastructure, the Labour-Plaid Government is paying for people to use services across the border.

"This year the Assembly Government spent nearly half its transport budget on roads, with a meagre 4% on integrating local transport, walking and cycling. It is time for WAG to stop driving people out of Wales and put real investment in an all Wales integrated transport network, to give a more viable option for businesses so that our local economies no longer suffer."

Notes:The 'Wales Fundraisers Conference 2008' will be held in The Gateway Centre in Shrewsbury on October 16th, organised by the Institute of Fundraising Cymru and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government.

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