The Senedd is now on recess so there are no formal meetings during August. However, constituency work continues as normal as does the work of the Welsh Government.

I held a productive meeting with National Highways to discuss improvements to aid traffic flow on both Severn crossings. I am pleased that a solution seems to have been found to lift the weight restriction on the old bridge. Similarly, the M48 is (at last) having a new central barrier installed so that the speed limit can return to normal. The Severn Bridge is going to need significant work if it is to serve us all for another sixty years. Most of the structure is in very good condition, but in my opinion we need to bite the bullet and install a second set of cables above the existing ones.

Whilst talking about the Severn, I believe that the prospect of a Severn Barrage should be put back on the political agenda. The plans for this were first developed a century ago, so we know the options and how much power would be generated. There would undoubtedly be some local environmental drawbacks, but this needs to be offset against the very large volume of dependable energy that would be generated every day. There is now the added consideration of energy security which was much less of a concern in previous decades.

On the subject of energy, there are a large number of applications for solar and wind farms across Wales. I have visited the proposed Candwr Solar Farm near Ponthir which is currently out for consultation. I don’t have space here to rehearse all the arguments, but my position (and that of my party) is that we should not build solar over good agricultural land.

Last week I met with the Magor Action Group on Rail. This is a very well-organised and informed group who for many years have pressed for the reopening of a station at Magor. It would be a ‘walkway’ station because there are many passengers within walking distance who would use it to travel to Bristol, Cardiff or further afield. It would not require much new infrastructure (and therefore has a modest cost) and this proposal has my full support.

Finally, I was delighted to attend the centenary celebrations at Chepstow Racecourse. This is a thriving Monmouthshire business, and is important for the wider South Wales economy. Just two days later I was back on the racecourse for the Chepstow Show. It was good to meet so many constituents and I hope to see many more of you at the Usk Show next month.