Liberal Democrat County Councillors Joy Jones and Gemma Bowker and Mid and West Wales AM William Powell have expressed their delight at the news that Welsh firm Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd has been selected as the preferred contractor for the Newtown Bypass design and build project.

They have welcomed the announcement by the Welsh Government as an excellent step towards reducing the traffic problems that have dogged Montgomeryshire and realising a vital and eagerly-awaited piece of infrastructure. All three Lib Dems have attended meetings aimed at addressing the problems on Montgomeryshire's roads and ensuring the promised Newtown Bypass becomes a reality.

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Environment and Sustainable Development, has criticised the Welsh Government for potentially undermining its own commitment to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) by splitting its remit across four Ministers in Welsh Labour's new look Cabinet.

William Powell congratulated Alun Davies on his appointment as Minister for Natural Resources and Food, but expressed concern that key areas of the former Environment brief had been allocated to other Ministers.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are this afternoon hosting a debate calling on the Welsh Labour Government to view spending on modern medicines as an investment, rather than just a cost.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Welsh Government to extend the Health Technology Fund to support the development of new medicines.

Please click the link to access my latest blog on rural banking in Wales:

http://williampowellam.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/rural-banking-short-debate-supporting-the-rural-economy/#more-178

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment and Sustainable Development, has expressed his disappointment at the revealed cost of the new NRW logo.

Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Welsh Government have revealed that they have spent a total of £7,625 on "agreeing the brief for the logo creation; developing and refining creative routes and developing basic visual style".

Local Assembly Member William Powell AM is urging people, organisations and business in Mid and West Wales to join him in signing up for this year's Earth Hour.

At 8.30pm on 23rd March hundreds of millions of people across the globe are expected to turn off their lights for an hour, to show they care about the future of our planet.

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, today called for a huge improvement in the provision of banking services in rural areas.

This followed a special debate in the National Assembly which he initiated yesterday, wherein he highlighted the number of bank closures in rural communities and called for a greater role for credit unions and the establishment of a network of new community banks.

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has warmly congratulated a Brecknockshire pub on securing special Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) awards.

The Tower Hotel, Talgarth was awarded Bronze pub of the Year and Gold Award for Cider pub of the Year. Pip and Jan Ellis, proprietors of the Tower Hotel, expressed delight at the award, notably for their son Glen. Glen has developed Rotters' Microbrewery at The Tower in recent years and in particular the Real Ale and Cider aspects of the business.

William Powell AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Rural Affairs, has welcomed the announcement that 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd has purchased VION's red meat processing facility in Merthyr Tydfil and two poultry units in Llangefni, Anglesey and Sandycroft, Clwyd respectively.

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said:

William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokesperson for Farming & Rural Affairs, today welcomed the news that Dairy Crest has bought the business and assets of the Whitland-based Proper Welsh Milk Company and securing the jobs of the workforce.

Mr Powell, Regional Assembly Member for Mid & West Wales, said: