Last week it was good to join colleagues from across North Wales at Wrexham Bus Station for an announcement promising to bring in a £2 cap on single bus fares after the election in 2026 – helping to make everyday journeys more affordable for people across our communities and building on the success of the Welsh Government’s £1 fares for under-21s and free travel for over-60s. There’s also a plan to introduce more than 100 new bus routes, shaped by local people, linking communities with jobs, hospitals and transport hubs – it’s about making public transport work for the people who rely on it every day and making it a practical reality for more of us. These changes are possible because the Welsh Government has taken action to bring buses back into public ownership, giving communities a stronger voice and ensuring fairer access to transport across Wales.

On the subject of public transport, I had the chance to catch up with Lee Robinson from Transport for Wales (TfW) just before the festive break. We had a discussion about the £1 bus fare application and funding, alongside plans for the new bus network linked to the North Wales Investment Zone and it was good to talk about how TfW will work closely with our local councils on mapping routes, depots and future investment. I also raised the popularity of the T8 service – a vital and well-used route in our constituency – something I’ll be following up on with the Cabinet Secretary. I was also pleased to hear about the recent new buses for the T51 route and we talked about franchising and the need to make flexi-bus services more accessible – something raised with me by a local resident in Holywell. Making public transport work for everyone really matters for our communities.

After storm Goretti last week and the resulting snow and ice we all experienced, it’s worth remembering that the rest of January and February are likely to be cold months too and Dŵr Cymru has created a handy guide to help residents get their homes cold weather-ready. Dŵr Cymru is also offering free winter lagging kits to protect pipes from freezing and bursting, saving homes from costly damage – you can request your kit easily online at www.dwrcymru.com/winterready. On the website there is a booklet with detailed hints and tips and ready-to-share social media posts to spread the word. If you can’t access it, please get in touch with my office via 01352 753464 or hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales so we can help.

Despite the cold weather, I started the New Year as I mean to go on – getting out and about in the community, talking to local people. Recent weeks have seen me busy delivering my latest newsletter in areas across Holywell as well as steep and hilly rounds in Greenfield. The newsletter updates constituents on a range of issues from the matters I have been raising in the Senedd on your behalf to a focus on transport – tackling potholes, fairer fares and better buses. As a local representative rooted in the community, it has always been important to me to reach out and be accessible – whether that’s through newsletters, surveys, stalls or street surgeries – something that I am committed to continue in 2026. Diolch too to the amazing team of volunteers who help to get these newsletters out in all weathers!

Recently I had the opportunity to meet with WWF Cymru in the Senedd to discuss the charity’s 2026 manifesto. Our discussion focused on practical action – restoring nature, strengthening environmental protections and making sure the transition to a green economy delivers skills and decent jobs for people in Wales. Many thanks to the team for passing on their last pack of seeds for my garden – a lovely reminder that small steps at home are all part of the bigger picture! I’m looking forward to working together to keep nature and climate front and centre in the Senedd this year.

Finally, if you use the mobile Post Office in Rhydymwyn on Denbigh Road, you might be interested to hear that the PO counter will be moving inside the service station in February. The Post Office is creating a low-screened, open-plan, modern serving point that’s part of the retail counter in the service station. It’s vital our local communities still have access to the sort of services that the Post Office provides and the company says that moving it to a permanent location will secure it for the longer term. Access is always an issue for many users, so the company is looking for your views on access in its new home – you can take part at www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/rhydymwyn-mobile-service-ch7-5he-742614 – but hurry as the consultation closes on Friday.

As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email hannah.blythyn@senedd.wales. You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – www.facebook.com/HannahBlythyn. Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don’t need to wait for an advice surgery.