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Local Swansea Labour AMs Andrew Davies and Val Lloyd have called on the new Lib Dem administration to honour the Labour party commitment to build a new bus station.

The City and County of Swansea has received £1.5m from the Welsh Assembly Government specifically to deliver the bus station this year. This comes in addition of the £3.880 targeted grant received in last year’s Transport Grant.

Val Lloyd and Andrew Davies said:
“We are calling on the new Lib-Dem, Independent coalition to honour the pledge of the Labour party and invest and build a new bus station for Swansea.

“Over the last four years the Lib Dems have tried to blame the Assembly Government for their lack of initiative in delivering a new bus station for Swansea. They have received a total of £5.38m over the last two years for the development of a new station, and have simply done nothing with it.”

“This was money that was specifically allocated for the development of the Bus Station by the Assembly Government”.

“It has been made clear to Swansea Council that it was not possible for the whole cost of the bus station redevelopment to be borne out of Assembly Government Transport Grant, and that they should explore additional sources of funding, including from the private sector. This has frustratingly despite continued promises the Lib-Dems have badly let down the people of Swansea, preferring instead to prioritise personal pet projects at the expense of a new bus station facility.

“We now jointly call on the new administration to make a pledge to build the bus station now that the metro (bendy bus) is near completion”.

The Welsh Assembly Government has given a consistent and clear message, however it is plain after three failed promises the bus station is still not being redeveloped and the Lib-Dems want to blame anyone but themselves.

“It is now time for them to announce a serious investment in refurbishing and rebuilding the new bus station

“Ieuan Wyn Jones warned Swansea Council last October that they should seek alternative sources of funding. He said then “ The Bus station is a matter on which Swansea City Council should take a lead, it is aware that in addition to funding form the Welsh Assembly Government it also needs to seek funding from other sources, including the private sector… the local authority should look for other sources of funding to supplement what is given by us”.

“We urge Swansea Lib-Dem and Independent Council to acknowledge the urgent need for a new bus station and to take action on this necessary new facility.”