A funding request must be urgently granted to enable a new much-needed bridge to built in Newport, the area’s MS said this week.
Residents living in Forge Mews have been left cut off from the rest of the city with no vehicular access since Old Bassaleg Bridge closed more than 2 years ago.
The bridge was deemed to be unsafe beyond repair with Newport City Council deciding a new bridge would have to be built.
Natasha Asghar MS, who represents the area in the Welsh Parliament, has been pushing the city council to crack on with the work to end the long-running saga for locals.
Council chiefs have now confirmed a funding request has been submitted to the Welsh Government to pay for the works.
Natasha this week urged the government’s local government and finance minister to “give this funding request the green light so work can begin.”
The South East Wales politician told the Welsh Parliament: “Ultimately the power to end this nightmare for residents lies in the hands of this government.
“For so many residents, it is imperative the Welsh Government gives this funding request the green light so work can begin.”
Natasha asked the minister: “So will this government commit to providing the funding needed and work in tandem with the city council to empower this community once again?”
Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans MS responded positively, saying she would make her colleagues in the transport department aware.
Commenting outside the chamber, Natasha Asghar MS said:
“All it takes to end this ongoing saga is for Ministers to put their hands in their pockets and cough up the cash.
“We need this funding released as soon as possible so work can begin, and residents’ lives can return to normal.
“Whilst the Minister might make the right noises in the chamber, her warm words must be followed up with swift action from the government.
“I will continue to pressure the Welsh Government and raise this issue until ministers do the right thing.”
A recent report by Newport City Council estimated the cost of building a replacement bridge would be between £5.6m and £9m.
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Rhaid derbyn cais am gyllid ar frys i allu adeiladu pont newydd mawr ei hangen yng Nghasnewydd, meddai A yr ardal yr wythnos hon.
Mae trigolion Forge Mews wedi'u torri i ffwrdd o weddill y ddinas heb fynediad i gerbydau ers i Hen Bont Bassaleg gau dros 2 flynedd yn ôl.
Barnwyd nad oedd y bont yn ddiogel ac nad oedd modd ei hatgyweirio a phenderfynodd Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd y byddai'n rhaid adeiladu pont newydd.
Mae Natasha Asghar AS, sy'n cynrychioli'r ardal yn y Senedd, wedi bod yn pwyso ar gyngor y ddinas i fynd i'r afael â'r gwaith i ddod â'r sefyllfa hirhoedlog i bobl leol i ben.
Mae penaethiaid y cyngor bellach wedi cadarnhau bod cais am gyllid wedi ei gyflwyno i Lywodraeth Cymru i dalu am y gwaith.
Yr wythnos hon anogodd Natasha weinidog llywodraeth leol a chyllid y llywodraeth i "roi golau gwyrdd i'r cais hwn am gyllid fel y gall y gwaith ddechrau."
Meddai’r Aelod o’r Senedd dros Ddwyrain De Cymru wrth y Senedd: "Yn y pen draw, mae'r pŵer i ddod â'r hunllef hon i ben i drigolion yn nwylo'r llywodraeth.
"I lawer o drigolion, mae'n hanfodol bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymeradwyo’r cais hwn am gyllid er mwyn i'r gwaith ddechrau."
Gofynnodd Natasha i'r gweinidog: "Felly a wnaiff y llywodraeth hon ymrwymo i ddarparu'r cyllid sydd ei angen a gweithio law yn llaw â chyngor y ddinas i rymuso'r gymuned hon unwaith eto?"
Ymatebodd y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, Rebecca Evans AS, yn gadarnhaol, gan ddweud y byddai'n gwneud ei chydweithwyr yn yr adran drafnidiaeth yn ymwybodol o hyn.
Wrth siarad y tu allan i'r siambr, dywedodd Natasha Asghar AS:
"Y cyfan sydd ei angen i ddod â'r saga i ben yw i Weinidogion roi eu dwylo yn eu pocedi a dangos lliw eu harian.
"Mae angen i'r cyllid hwn gael ei ryddhau cyn gynted â phosib fel y gall gwaith ddechrau, ac y gall bywydau trigolion ddychwelyd i normal.
"Er y gallai'r Gweinidog ddweud y pethau iawn yn y siambr, rhaid i’r llywodraeth weithredu ar unwaith ar ôl ei geiriau cynnes.
"Byddaf yn dal ati i roi pwysau ar Lywodraeth Cymru ac yn codi'r mater hwn nes bod gweinidogion yn gwneud y peth iawn."
Roedd adroddiad diweddar gan Gyngor Dinas Casnewydd yn amcangyfrif y byddai cost codi pont newydd rhwng £5.6m a £9m.
