Plaid Win Another By-election

Plaid Cymru have won the Aberystwyth Town Council By-election in Penparcau, taking their total to ten out of nineteen members on the Council. Owain Jones won on his first attempt by 24 votes over Labour candidate Dylan Jones with the Lib Dems trailing in third place. Plaid's representation in the Penparcau ward is now at it's highest ever, with one County Councillor (Rob Gorman) and three out of five Town Councillors. The By-election was called following the death of longstanding Independent councillor Owen Jones.

In Rheidol ward, another Town Council by-election saw the Lib Dems retain the seat left open by the resignation of their former councillor Lorrae Jones-Southgate. Martin Shewring won by 76 votes over Plaid's Sandra Oliver who received a good vote but was unable to repeat the spectacular win by Plaid's Aled Davies in the same ward's County Council by-election in July.

IS-ETHOLIADAU CYNGOR TREF ABERYSTWYTH
ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL BY-ELECTIONS

Penparcau
Owain Jones (Plaid Cymru) 141 (42%)
Dylan Jones (Llafur/Labour) 117 (34%)
John Thornton (Dem Rhyd/Lib Dem) 77 (22%)

Rheidol
Martin Shewring (Dem Rhyd/Lib Dems) 243 (59%)
Sandra Oliver (Plaid Cymru) 167 (40%)

New Cycle Path Welcomed

The new section of cycle path from Tanybwlch to Llanfarian via Rhydyfelin is a huge step forward for cyclists wanting to ride into Aberystwyth from the South and is already being used by both cyclists and walkers before it’s even been publicised. It allows cyclists to ride into town avoiding the main road and the large hill at Rhydyfelin. This greatly improves safety and so encourages people from that side of the town to cycle in.

However, further inland, the usefulness of the section from Trawsgoed to Tregaron is severely compromised by a major diversion off the old rail line near Tynygraig and the fact that the path stops two miles short of Tregaron. This is a lost economic opportunity for Tregaron as it’s well documented how cycle paths bring money into an area.

The County Council still has a tendency to see cycling as a tourist activity whereas scores of local people cycle around Aberystwyth every day. Now that Aberystwyth has the Ystwyth Trail coming in from the South and the Rheidol Cycleway from the East, I believe the next step is to make the town itself more cycle-friendly.

The photo shows Simon Leather of Llanbadarn Fawr trying out the new path

Penglais Surgery Gets Go-Ahead

The long-proposed medical surgery on Penglais Hill finally received planning permission this week. The application has been altered from the original in order to accommodate concerns of local residents who have been keen to protect the beautiful 'Dingle' lying between the site and Dan y Coed. Since the application was first put forward a public right of way has been declared running alongside the Dingle. The application site has therefore been narrowed and lengthened in order to place less pressure on the path.

As well as a doctors' surgery the new development will also include a students' medical centre, dentist surgery and nursery. A landscaping plan has been devised with the aim of protecting as many trees on the site as possible. When completed it is expected that Padarn Surgery will move to the new site.