Janet Finch-Saunders MS, who has long campaigned for improved bus services in Aberconwy and North Wales, and has seen the successful expansion of the Conwy Fflecsi service to Dolwyddelan, has challenged Mark Drakeford MS, First Minister, over the complete lack of transparency about the on going review of bus routes in North Wales.
Speaking during Questions to the First Minister, Mrs Finch-Saunders highlighted that on 12 September 2023 Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, had written to her stating that he has:
- asked Transport for Wales (TfW) to work closely with the local authorities on a regional basis to produce revised bus network plans;
- the planning work underway for North Wales includes a careful examination of key routes in the Conwy Valley.
Despite asking TfW for details of the review, no information has been forthcoming, so the First Minister was challenged to provide timeframes and detail as to when plans for the revised bus network will be available for all to see and be consulted on.
Speaking after questioning the First Minister, Janet said:
“I am disappointed that the First Minister was unable to provide a timeframe for the completion of the bus route review.
“All he could advise is that the work is progressing on a regional footprint, and that local authorities have been tasked with identifying a core network of strategic services, such as those that serve key employment sites, healthcare facilities, education and training venues.
“Bus services are a major concern for residents, so the review should be done in conjunction with them, not behind closed doors.
“I very much hope that the new bus routes are subject to a public consultation.”
ENDS
Photos:
Janet Finch-Saunders MS on a bus
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders AS wedi ymgyrchu ers amser maith dros wella gwasanaethau bysiau yn Aberconwy a Gogledd Cymru, ac mae wedi gweld ehangu gwasanaeth Fflecsi Conwy yn llwyddiannus i Ddolwyddelan, ac wedi herio Mark Drakeford AS, y Prif Weinidog, ynghylch diffyg tryloywder llwyr yr adolygiad parhaus o lwybrau bysiau yng Ngogledd Cymru.
Wrth siarad yn ystod Cwestiynau'r Prif Weinidog, eglurodd Mrs Finch-Saunders fod Lee Waters AS, y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd, ar 12 Medi 2023, wedi ysgrifennu ati yn datgan ei fod wedi:
- gofyn i Trafnidiaeth Cymru (TrC) weithio'n agos gyda'r awdurdodau lleol ar sail ranbarthol i gynhyrchu cynlluniau rhwydwaith bysiau diwygiedig;
- bod y gwaith cynllunio sydd ar y gweill ar gyfer Gogledd Cymru yn cynnwys archwiliad gofalus o lwybrau allweddol yn Nyffryn Conwy.
Er gwaethaf gofyn i TrC am fanylion yr adolygiad, ni chafwyd unrhyw wybodaeth, felly heriwyd y Prif Weinidog i ddarparu amserlenni a manylion pryd y bydd cynlluniau ar gyfer y rhwydwaith bysiau diwygiedig ar gael i bawb eu gweld a phryd y byddan nhw’n destun ymgynghoriad.
Wrth siarad ar ôl holi'r Prif Weinidog, dywedodd Janet:
"Rwy'n siomedig na allai’r Prif Weinidog ddarparu amserlen ar gyfer cwblhau'r adolygiad o wasanaethau bysiau.
"Y cyfan y medrai ei gynghori yw bod y gwaith yn mynd rhagddo ar ôl-troed rhanbarthol, a bod awdurdodau lleol wedi cael y dasg o nodi rhwydwaith craidd o wasanaethau strategol, fel y rhai sy'n gwasanaethu safleoedd cyflogaeth allweddol, cyfleusterau gofal iechyd, lleoliadau addysg a hyfforddiant.
"Mae gwasanaethau bws yn achos pryder mawr i breswylwyr, felly dylid cynnal yr adolygiad ar y cyd â nhw, nid y tu ôl i ddrysau caeedig.
"Rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd y gwasanaethau bysiau newydd yn destun ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus."
DIWEDD
