The Presiding Officer of the
National Assembly for Wales today formally accepted a petition to
re-open Carno train station.
Dafydd Elis-Thomas met campaigners from Carno along with
Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates, outside the Senedd building. The
petition breaks new ground in Cardiff Bay as it is one of the
first to be submitted to the Assembly with it's new powers.
Commenting Mick Bates said: “It
was great to welcome the campaigners from Carno. Their petition will
now go through the Assembly with its new procedures.
"Under new Assembly standing orders petitions are taken much more
seriously than before. In the past they were given to the Minister
responsible and pretty much put in a draw never to be talked about
again.
"Now they can ultimately end up being debated fully by AM’s. This
gives members of the public with a genuine grievance real power to
get something done. It’s an exiting system that can really help
people connect to our work in the Assembly, and keep AMs on their
toes.
"The Campaign to re-open Carno train station is something I have
been involved in and something I support. Not only will it encourage
people to use their cars less and cut carbon emissions, it will be
highly beneficial to the local economy.
"Carno has suffered a great deal in recent years since the decline
of the Laura Ashley factory. Re-opening the train station will
present new economic opportunities for the area.
"I would like to thank the Presiding Officer for taking the time to
accept the petition in person. I’m sure he, like me appreciates the
hard work that has gone in to it.
“I will now carry on my work in the Assembly to make sure the train
station is re-opened. I hope my fellow AM’s will join me."
Ends
Notes:
Photo above: Presiding officer
Dafydd Elis-Thomas receiving petition from Mick Bates and Carno
campaigners
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