LLAIS CANDIDATE

A transport and logistics expert, who vows to use his professional skills to campaign for an upgraded Conwy Valley Railway Line, is Llais Gwynedd’s candidate in the forthcoming Gwynedd Council bi-election in Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Diffwys and Maenofferen Ward.

Richard Owen Lloyd Jones was born and raised in Tanygrisiau and attended the village school  and Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Ysgol Y Moelwyn. He started his career as a clerk with the Crosville Bus Company in the town qualifying as a bus driver before attending college in order to gain membership of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He spent 14 years as manager in Gwynedd Council’s Transport Department before being appointed to his present post as General Manager of the Machynlleth-based Lloyds Coaches.

“I know the logistics and transport sector like the back of my hand” said the 38-year-old father of one 20-month-old son.

“And if elected I will utilize my knowledge to ensure that the Conwy Valley Railway Line is upgraded to pave the way for the long-awaited Blaenau Ffestiniog slate waste extraction project and the substantial employment opportunities it will inevitably bring to the area,” he added.

Richard Owen Lloyd Jones’ other priorities include safeguarding a safe and happy community, maintaining public services and ensuring a long and bright future for Blaenau Ffestinog’s Memorial Hospital.

“I like so many local people hold the hospital in great affection and full of admiration towards the kind and caring staff who have carefully nursed our loved ones over the years,” he added.

“It would be an utter disgrace to deprive a town of Blaenau Ffestiniog’s size and catchment area of this essential health service,” he said.

Llais Gwynedd leader, Councillor Owain Williams, welcomed Richard as the party’s candidate in the Diffwys and Maenofferen Ward.

“Richard’s experience in the transport and logistics industry as well as his inside view of the workings in the council will prove invaluable as Llais Gwynedd strives to defend services in the county’s rural communities and small towns,” he said.

 “He will make an excellent councillor and I’m looking forward immensely to having him on our side,” he added.

The Gwynedd Council election in the Diffwys and Maenofferen Ward will take place on July 15, 2010. It was called following the resignation of Gwilym Euros Roberts.