More from this month’s full council meeting.
This time, Cllr. Martin Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) asked a question on the future of M4 Junction 36. My understanding is that plans that were being developed involved a second bridge being built to create a full gyratory.
When submitting the question, he didn’t foresee the new tests to justify road building recently announced by the Welsh Government as part of a Roads Review. This resulted in work on proposed improvements to the junction being cancelled – a decision he described as “regrettable”.
Developments in the area – such as a proposed hydrogen fuel plant at Brynmenyn Industrial Estate(“HyBont”) – are only likely to make traffic problems worse and may end up discouraging walking and cycling. As we were now as far away as ever from improvements to Junction 36, what alternatives were being considered to help surrounding communities?
In a follow-up, Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) shared Cllr. Williams’ concerns about the impact of future developments.
He asked for an update on the suitability of public transport services in the Valleys Gateway area (Sarn, Tondu, Aberkenfig) – particularly proposed half-hourly rail services on the Maesteg line (which requires a new passing loop to be built at Tondu).
Bus services face squeeze when Welsh Government funding ends
Council Leader, Cllr. Huw David (Lab, Kenfig Hill, Pyle & Cefn Cribwr), was invited to a meeting about the Welsh Government’s road review around the time the announcement was made.
Cllr. David said he “made it clear” that he expects the Welsh Government to consider alternative means to improve Junction 36 – mentioning active travel improvements or bus priority corridors. He committed to holding a meeting about the junction with local representatives.
Although the Tondu passing loop question was overlooked, on public transport Cllr. David was a little pessimistic. The bus industry, he said, was “going through a difficult period”.
Welsh Government emergency funding introduced during the pandemic was likely to end in the coming months, with paying passengers not recovering to pre-pandemic levels yet.
Discussions between Bridgend Council and the main bus operator in the county – First Cymru – on the future of services are ongoing.
