Sioned Williams MS will challenge Lloyds decision to close the last bank in the Swansea Valley
Following a public meeting to discuss Lloyds Bank planned closure of their branch in Pontardawe – the last bank in the Swansea Valley – Sioned Williams MS has outlined her next steps to challenge the “devastating” decision.
Ms Williams, who lives in Pontardawe, and who represents South Wales West in the Senedd, said the strength of public feeling was “clear and overwhelming” with many present at the public meeting making it clear that the closure will impact residents and businesses alike.
One business, which employs 45 local people and handles large amounts of cash noted the limits on what can be withdrawn and paid in to the Post Office, while another noted that cashless operating results in additional fees and charges.
More than one business has expressed concern that Wednesdays are already noticeably quieter in the town – a day that the branch is currently closed – and the concern is that a complete closure could see footfall driven down on other days too.
Residents also raised concerns around the impact of losing face to face services on elderly people, many of whom find phone banking difficult, and who are not online. There were also concerns about the need for immediate and in person advice when trying to avoid scams.
Lloyds Bank were invited to the public meeting, but declined to attend, and so Ms Williams has now arranged a meeting with a representative to feed back the views of locals.
Ms Williams is also in contact with Age Cymru, Mencap and the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, all of whom represent vulnerable groups who will be particularly impacted by the removal of face to face services on the high street.
Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:
“Public feeling is clear and overwhelming. The devastating decision to close the last branch in the Swansea Valley will impact residents and local businesses alike.
“So many businesses in Pontardawe are cash based, some of our most vulnerable citizens are only comfortable with cash, and many other residents simply prefer it as it helps with budgeting. Taking away both a face to face counter service and a 24/7 cash point in the centre of the town will shatter our local community.
“I will be challenging the reasons given by Link in their assessment as to why they say this branch can close. It’s not as easy as visiting another cash point, which are inside other businesses and therefore only accessible during their opening hours or outside of the town centre and across busy main roads.
“It’s also not as simple as visiting a branch in another town, because that would mean either travelling to another valley, or into Swansea, neither of which are particularly easy due to the poor state of local public transport connections.
“I will also be continuing to press for a banking hub should Lloyds not change their decision and for Welsh Government to progress their manifesto commitment to help develop community banks in Wales.”