Alun Cairns - Assembly Member - South Wales West. Its our battle as well as his, fighting the Welsh Assembly and Global dredgers needs all the backup anyone can muster.
The South Wales Evening Post quoted Mr Cairns comments on the National Trust - Shifting Shores report.
"This is yet more evidence of the damage we are doing to our precious coastline - Sea level rises and reckless dredging are putting our finest assets at risk - this Assembly Government has singularly failed to tackle the issues raised by coastline erosion - this report shows how indefensible their position is - we cannot afford to give up on our beaches, cliffs and coastal communities."
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Copied From the South Wales Evening Post
AM attacks delay over sand ruling
chris peregrine
chris.peregrine@swwmedia.co.uk
SWANSEA-BASED AM Alun Cairns has accused the Assembly of dragging its feet in concluding the Gower sand dredging inquiry because of May's elections.
He is unhappy about a five-month delay in resolving the Llanelli Sand Dredging Company application.
It wants consent to extract 300,000 tonnes per annum for 15 years.
An inquiry into the Helwick Bank issue was held last summer, with the Assembly inspector's report sent to Environment Minister Carwyn Jones on September 7.
And Mr Cairns, who represents South Wales West, said the time for action was now.
"Five months down the line we are still none the wiser," he said. "Carwyn Jones has yet to give his decision, nor has he made the report public.
"This is yet another example of the Labour Assembly Government delaying an important decision for fear of losing votes in the election.
"Wales deserves a braver government capable of taking important decisions to protect vital resources such as our coastline.
"Dredging on the Helwick Bank is destroying our beaches and will damage the tourist-based sectors of our economy."
Swansea Council has also come out against the application, making its position clear in a statement to the inquiry.
"The council recognises the genuine public interest in this case and people's understandable concerns, and is acting in the best interest of the local people," it said.
An Assembly Government spokeswoman insisted it would not be rushed.
"We are aware of the intense interest in the Government's view," she said. "However, it is important to reach the right decision, not necessarily the quickest one.
"The issues are complex and a Government view will be issued at the earliest opportunity consistent with thorough consideration of all the issues.
"No dredging has taken place at Helwick Bank since October 2005."
Dear First Minister,
I am greatly concerned at the apparent erosion of sand in the above area.
It is essential that you instigate a full and thorough research programme to establish exactly what is happening as it appears that short term gain will be outweighed by a medium and long term negative effect upon the sands around the Gower peninsula and consequently tourism which as you well know is vital to the economy of the area.
I urge you to act quickly.
Yours sincerely,
John B. Loftus.
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