We know the price but not the detail over Airport purchase

Following the announcement of the Welsh Government’s £52million purchase of Cardiff Airport, Eluned Parrott, Welsh Liberal Democrat Economy and Transport spokesperson has called on the Government to urgently announce its plans to transform the airport.

“We’ve had almost four months of the government talking about the airport but no detail on their plans to improve and expand services to, from or at the airport.

“We’ve had the sound bites from Carwyn, we now know the price but now we need to see the substance and the government’s long term plans for attracting airlines, tourists and business travellers to Cardiff Airport.

“I wish the Government well in its attempts to turn the airport around, but I would have hoped by now we’d have some idea of what the government plans to do to improve the airport.

“The Welsh Government’s much flaunted National Transport Plan includes a commitment to introduce an express bus service from Cardiff to the Airport – this is the first objective which the government should urgently bring forward as an easy way to encourage local residents to use the airport and to help visitors to Wales access our capital.”

March 27th, 2013 | Category: Transport | Leave a comment

Helvetic’s announcement shows size of the task facing Welsh Labour Government

Responding to Helvetic’s announcement that it is pulling out of Cardiff Airport, Eluned Parrott, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Transport, commented:

“It is disappointing that Helvetic have pulled out of Cardiff after just two years, especially after the Welsh Labour Government spent £500,000 helping them promote the route.

“This announcement just goes to show the size of the task that the Welsh Labour Government faces in turning the airport’s fortunes around.

“However, I was pleased to see Vueling announce that they are expanding their involvement with Cardiff Airport and that they are offering new flights.  This new investment says to me that the airport has potential if we can identify the right routes and the right carriers.”

March 15th, 2013 | Category: Economy, Transport | Leave a comment

Supporting the “20′s Plenty for Penarth” campaign

I’ve sent the following message of support to the “20′s Plenty for Penarth” campaign:

“I fully support the “20’s Plenty for Penarth” campaign.  There is compelling evidence that reducing speed limits in our towns and villages dramatically reduces fatalities and injuries as a result of road traffic accidents.  Getting children safely to school, or even taking the dog for a walk, should not be a lottery.  Across the UK, where similar schemes have been implemented, they have proven very popular with local residents and have led to decreased congestion and increased numbers of people cycling and walking.  I will be writing to the Vale of Glamorgan Council adding my support to this request and urging its implementation as soon as possible.”

Details of the campaign can be found on their website here.

There is also a public meeting taking place on Thursday 21st March, 7pm at the Windsor Arms pub on Windsor Road to which all residents are invited.

March 15th, 2013 | Category: The Vale, Transport | Leave a comment

First test for Carwyn over Cardiff Airport

Following the news that Flybe is ‘reviewing its operations’ at Cardiff Airport, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Business Minister Eluned Parrott AM said:

“This will be the first test for Carwyn Jones following his discussion to buy Cardiff Airport. The First Minister needs to convince Flybe that it has a sound and sustainable future operating out of Cardiff.

“Flybe operate some of Cardiff’s key business routes to places like Paris, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which are strategically important to the economy in South Wales. If Flybe go the same way as Ryanair and BMI Baby in dropping out of Cardiff it will be another major setback for our airport.”

“My thoughts are with Flybe’s excellent and dedicated staff at this uncertain time.”

January 23rd, 2013 | Category: Economy, The Vale, Transport | Leave a comment

Connections to Cardiff Airport need to be urgently improved

Commenting on the news of a new express bus service from South Wales to Bristol Airport, Eluned Parrott Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Minister said:

“This needs to come as a wake up call to Carwyn Jones and the Welsh Government. They urgently need to improve connections to Cardiff Airport, or Cardiff will fall further behind Bristol in attracting both airlines and passengers.

“A direct high speed coach service from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport has been on the cards since 2009 yet it isn’t scheduled to be delivered until 2014 at the earliest.

“The Welsh Government need to wake up and urgently bring forward this vital new service which will benefit South Wales.”

 

January 16th, 2013 | Category: Cardiff, Economy, The Vale, Transport | Leave a comment

Welsh Labour Government in disarray over Cardiff Airport purchase – Eluned Parrott

Eluned Parrott, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Business and Transport Minister, has accused the Welsh Labour Government of being in disarray over the purchase and development of Cardiff Airport.

Recent events like the announcement of a direct bus route to Bristol Airport from South Wales, a cut in the money spent on promoting Wales abroad and the lack of a Welsh Government business plan before the announcement of the purchase of the airport paints a picture of confusion and chaos within the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Business and Transport Minister also raises concerns about the Welsh Labour Government’s ability to provide value for money for Welsh tax payers following previous unsuccessful and expensive projects.   

Eluned Parrott, South Wales Central AM said:

“While I agree that action must be taken to halt the worrying decline of Cardiff Airport, I am yet to be convinced that the Welsh Labour Government know how exactly why they are buying it and what to do with it. A freedom of information request by my office revealed that they had not developed an outline business case before launching the purchase process and that they have no outline plans for the development of the airport.

“Welsh Liberal Democrats want to see a successful airport but any investment must give taxpayers value for money. We’ve seen too many examples in the past where the Welsh Labour Government has ploughed money into schemes only for them to turn into expensive money pits fraught with poor management or financial irregularities.

“A viable forward plan for the airport must tackle its key business challenges which include accessibility issues and encouraging route development, but the Welsh Labour Government approach has been contradictory.

“Over the weekend, the bus company, Greyhound, announced a direct South Wales coach route to Bristol Airport putting even more pressure on Cardiff Airport. It is quite clear that Bristol Airport is responding to the announcement that the Welsh Government wants to buy Cardiff Airport. The Welsh Government announced a direct bus route to Cardiff Airport in 2009 but still hasn’t managed to deliver. It appears that, yet again, the Welsh Labour Government has been out-manoeuvred by the private sector.

“In terms of route development, one of the key ways in which a government can help attract new routes without falling foul of European state aid rules is to enter into marketing agreements with airlines coming into Wales. However, it was also revealed over the weekend that during the past five years, the amount of money spent by the Welsh government on marketing Wales abroad has declined significantly. They will have to reverse this decline in investment if they want to attract new business to the airport.

“What I want to see is a strategic development plan for the airport setting out the challenges it faces and the practical steps that are going to be taken to overcome them. 

“If the Welsh Government wants to progress with the purchase of Cardiff Airport, they must be as open and as transparent as possible with Assembly Members and the people who will fund this purchase – the people of Wales. Time will tell what deal will be struck but I still have serious concerns about the Welsh Government’s naïve negotiating tactics, and what that means for the public purse.”

January 15th, 2013 | Tags: | Category: Cardiff, Transport | Leave a comment

Eluned Parrott welcomes creation of Task Force into transport system in south east Wales

Responding to the Minister for Local Government’s announcement that there is to be a Task Force to drive forward the development of an integrated transport systems in south east Wales, Eluned Parrott, Shadow Minister for Transport commented:

“I welcome the announcement of the creation of a Task Force. Of course this is only the first step, the Welsh Labour Government must keep to its word and really work to establish a rapid transit system for South Wales East using rail, bus and active travel.

“Only yesterday in the Senedd I pressed the First Minister to develop an integrated transport system that will include light rail and tram-train technology, alongside electrification, that would strengthen the case for opening additional stations across Wales. Transport needs to be a priority for the Welsh Government over the next year, especially given its potential for driving economic growth.

“A lot of the investment that has been announced to date has concentrated on South Wales, therefore I’m extremely pleased that the Welsh Government will be taking forward new ideas for the development of transport in North Wales with Councillor Mike Priestley, who is well known and a respected campaigner in this area.”

December 5th, 2012 | Category: Transport | Leave a comment

Continued Growth of Ebbw Vale line furthers the case for more investment

Commenting on the continued growth in passengers using the Cardiff to Ebbw Vale rail line, Eluned Parrott, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Minister has today renewed her parties calls for a direct rail link from Newport to Ebbw Vale.

“Every year we are seeing more and more people in Wales travel by train for both business and leisure, and nowhere has the success of rail been more visible than in Ebbw Vale.

“The continued growth of passenger numbers sends a clear message to the Welsh Government that they need to commit soon to a timetable of future improvement works. Welsh Liberal Democrats have long called for the much needed direct service to Newport and we would also wish to see a study into the options of extending the line into Ebbw Vale itself and if possible into Abertillery too.

“Work to electrify the line will start soon, with investment from the UK Treasury. The Welsh Government needs to ensure any plans it has for the area fit in with work which has already been given the go ahead.”

November 5th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , | Category: The Valleys, Transport | Leave a comment

Eluned Parrott welcomes growth in passenger numbers and outlines case for new stations and new track

Eluned Parrott AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson has today welcomed the continued rise in rail usage across Wales, but believes there is more the Welsh Government can do to help rail travel grow.

“Naturally I’m pleased that more journeys are being conducted by rail and this is a trend I hope we will see continue to grow in the future. Wales is about to benefit from the largest investment in rail infrastructure in more than a century, when the mainline to Swansea and the Valley Lines are electrified, bringing newer, cleaner and faster trains to South Wales. This investment from the UK Government has the potential to further boost rail usage in South Wales as well as the wider Welsh Economy.

“I would like to see the Welsh Government taking a lead and actively pursuing enquiries now into improving the rail network alongside the electrification investment. New Stations like St Mellons in Cardiff would do wonders to the East of Cardiff and small sections of track from Aberdare to Hirwaun and Newport to Rogerstone could pay for themselves many times over in terms of economic growth.

“If projects like these are to become a reality the Welsh Government needs to act now, but sadly, I haven’t seen much action from the Welsh Government in terms of improving Welsh rail network at present.”

October 30th, 2012 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Economy, Transport | Leave a comment

Labour’s Congestion Charge plans could have detrimental effect on Cardiff

Responding to the news that Labour Cardiff Council is looking into introducing a ‘London style’ congestion charge, Eluned Parrott, Shadow Minister for Transport, said:

“I don’t think there is a strong demand for this from the people of Cardiff.  What we need to see is improved public transport links in our city which can then offer alternatives so people so are less inclined to be using their car.

“The Cardiff Labour party has its priorities completely skewed.  Rather than looking at schemes like the congestion charge, they should instead be convincing their colleagues in the Welsh Labour government to reverse decisions such as cuts to bus grants that lead to increases in bus fares.

“Whether it’s Edinburgh or Manchester, whenever referenda have been held on congestion charges, the public have always overwhelming said ‘no’.  It’s time the Labour party actually started to listen, rather than trying to ram though changes that the majority don’t want.”

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July 20th, 2012 | Category: Cardiff, Economy, The Vale, Transport | Leave a comment
 
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