Newspaper clipping taken from page 2 of the South Wales Echo titled 'Best news' on barrage', reporting MP Mr Rhodri Morgan's decision to oppose the Cardiff Bay barrage, Cardiff, 4 July 1989

Disgrifiad

An article describing the announcement of Cardiff MP Mr Rhodri Morgan's decision to oppose the Cardiff Bay barrage.

Transcription:

‘Best news’ on barrage
By Mike Arnold

The decision by Cardiff MP Mr Rhodri Morgan to oppose the Cardiff Bay barrage was greeted by campaigners last night as “the best news yet.”

Protesters against the barrage were last night sent a letter of support by Mr Morgan, the Labour member for Cardiff West.

He said he did not think it right “to subject my constituents to disturbance for something of extremely doubtful value.”

Cheers

Mr Richard Evans, the chairman of the Riverside and Pontcanna residents’ group against the barrage, said: “It is very important news that Rhodri Morgan has finally made up his mind to oppose the scheme. It is the best thing that has happened in the whole year our campaign has been running."

Residents of Canton and Pontcanna, meeting in St Catherine's Church Hall, Canton, cheered when Cardiff city councillor Jane Davidson - a researcher for Mr Morgan - read a letter pledging his support.

She said that due to business in the House of Commons he was unable to attend the meeting but that he wanted to lend his support and outline what steps he would take to block the scheme.

One of the causes for concern, he said, was a question of groundwater levels and that “geologists take diametrically opposite views” on the effects the barrage might have.

Ms Davidson said that Mr Morgan intended to oppose the Bill coming into the House of Commons in the first place; and if it did come before the House to oppose a carry-over motion that would allow it to be part heard and then resumed when Parliament meets again.

“We need to make it clear that the people in Cardiff West, and, hopefully, in Cardiff South, are opposed to the barrage,” she said.

In his letter Mr Morgan pointed out that if the Bill were to come into the House of Commons it would have to be in the week ending July 15 – “only 10 days away.”

That would mean that any petitions from people in Pontcanna would have to be registered quickly, said Mr Evans.

Mr Norman Robson, chairman of the Cardiff Flood Action Group, warned that many residents of Pontcanna would have no protection from damp or damage by rising groundwater under existing proposals.