NEWS

PROPOSED FENCE RAISES CONCERNS

I have been contacted by residents in the Ton Kenfig/Mawdlam area concerned about plans submitted by NRW to construct a 5-kilometre stock proof fence along the edge of the Kenfig Nature Reserve. BCBC planners have not yet dealt with the application, which was submitted in November. Residents are worried about access especially as this is common land although I understand that there will be numerous gates, styles and access points within the fence so continued public access may not be an issue. But the main concern seems to be that notification of the proposal was not properly conducted. NRW claims that public notices were placed at the ‘entrances’ to the site but local residents claim that no-one saw any notices. The new fence will run from near Mawdlam Church as far as the boundary with Pyle and Kenfig golf course. If this fence enables the amount of land available for grazing to be increased, there are fears for the protection of rare species located in the reserve such as the fen orchid. I will be contacting NRW to find out exactly what is planned and what impact this will have on the ecology of the reserve.

DR ALTAF HUSSAIN Regional Senedd Member

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

It was a delight to visit Porthcawl Primary School for International Women’s Day to discuss what it is like to be the Member of Senedd for Bridgend and Porthcawl, and how anyone can become a politician and make a difference for their community. I was incredibly inspired to talk to the year 5 and 6 pupils about the issues that they care about, such as saving the environment, promoting equality, and learning how we can make a better world. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces from my previous visit to the school where we planted trees. The pupils also talked about how they and their families are doing their bit to help those fleeing war in Ukraine. From donating clothes and essential items to collecting Easter eggs in the school to give to children, the pupils were caring, considerate and conscious to learn how they could do more. To celebrate International Women’s Day, the school had visits from local female athletes, scientists, musicians, and emergency service professionals. The school has done a fantastic job of celebrating women in our community and inspiring the children to go on and do great things – no matter who they are. Da Iawn!

SARAH MURPHY MS Member of the Senedd for Bridgend

SALT LAKE CAR PARK NEEDED TO PROTECT JOBS

While news that the number of new homes proposed for Salt Lake will be cut by a third is welcome, this will not solve the problem of where day trippers will park once all car parking there is scrapped. Labour’s relentless war on the car, waged from Welsh Government level down, goes on apace. Yes, the council is proposing to build a multi storey car park on Hillsboro Place but is this viable? Who will build it, how many spaces will it provide and, crucially, how much will people have to pay to park in it? In any case, no multi-storey can replace the 1,000 spaces lost at Salt Lake. We are facing a net loss of hundreds of spaces in the town. This will have a devastating impact on the town’s future as a seaside resort. Hundreds of visitors are attracted to Porthcawl in summer. So where will they park? Unless people can park easily at reasonable cost they will go elsewhere. Aberavon beckons. How would Porthcawl’s ice cream parlours, cafes and pubs then survive? Hundreds of jobs are at stake. In their reckless quest for net zero, Labour is forgetting that electric cars still require infrastructure.

JAMIE WALLIS MP for Bridgend