There's no magic bullet


Column in the Llanelli Star on 29th November 2017



I'm really pleased to be joining the Assembly’s Economy committee - trying to find new ways to get jobs into the Llanelli constituency is one of the main reasons I stood to be an Assembly Member. 

Let’s not pretend that this is going to be an easy task. It isn’t. And, while we’re talking about it, let’s not only focus on Llanelli town centre when the Llanelli constituency extends to Trimsaran, Pontyberem, Ponthenri, Llannon, Tumble, Cross Hands, Tycroes and Hendy.

These are rural communities where there are more older and lower-income people with fewer options for getting out and about, and where accessing decent jobs can be a real challenge. That’s why we see so many young people upping sticks to get work elsewhere. And why they almost never come back.

Like everyone, people in rural and small town communities rely on transport to get to jobs, schools, medical appointments, nights out, shops and services. The difference is they’ve got much further to go, and all-too-often they’re left with limited travel options. It seems so unfair to me that some people miss out on so much either because they can’t drive or because they can’t afford a car.

That’s why I’m excited by the proposals being touted by Mark Barry - the man behind the Cardiff Metro - for a similar set up to be introduced to the Swansea Bay area. Proper investment in public transport could generate significant benefits for the rural communities in the Llanelli constituency - not least because it’ll help ensure new jobs created through schemes like the Swansea Bay City Deal will be within everyone’s reach.

I don’t believe there is a ‘magic bullet’ - and if I hear of one more project being labelled ‘transformative’, I will scream. But I do think that a decent public transport system - like the one Mark Barry has set out for the Swansea Bay Metro - has the potential to open up job opportunities, bring in new customers, connect the urban and rural areas of our community and to attract new businesses and investment.

Nowhere is this more important than in rural and small town communities. 

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