German provides support to anti opencast group

12.00.00am GMT Wed 1st Dec 2004

Local Welsh Liberal Democrat AM, Mike German, has today met with members of the anti Ffros-Y-Fran opencast mining group outside the National Assembly for Wales.

Mr German listened to the protesters worries and gave them his support. He also accepted a petition of 3,400 signatures, calling on an Assembly planning committee to reject the opencast proposal.

Mr German said: "This is the biggest issue currently facing the people of Merthyr. If the opencast proposal gets the go-ahead it may devastate the town.

"Merthyr is in a unique position in Wales. It is on a crossroads, serving north and south, east and West. It is also only a matter of miles away from Cardiff, Swansea and Brecon.

"For years Merthyr Council failed to capitalise on the town's potential. Recently this has started to change. We have all see the new developments across town, which may very well stop if the opencast goes ahead. That's not to mention the very real health risk.

"For a long time the Merthyr Liberal Democrats have registered their concerns over the scheme. Activists have attended and spoken at public meetings and will continue to campaign against the proposal.

"I will now take the petition presented to me today and give it to the Minister for Planning Carwyn Jones. It is important that the people of Merthyr know they have been listened too."