Commenting on the news that Baglan is no longer being considered as a potential home of the new ‘super-prison’, MP for Aberavon Stephen Kinnock said:

“This is fantastic news and a real victory for the people of Port Talbot. David Rees AM and I have been working hard with our constituents to make clear the reasons why Baglan was an utterly inappropriate location for a new super-prison, and I’m pleased that – after a campaign lasting almost two years – the UK government has admitted defeat.

“At a public meeting that I called in September 2017, myself and hundreds of Port Talbot residents made it absolutely clear to Department of Justice officials that the suggested location was far too close to local schools, would cause no end of traffic congestion and would create problems for local businesses given the nature of the construction. I later reiterated those points in meetings with the Prison Minister Rory Stewart and Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, and I’m pleased that – with support from the Welsh government – we’ve persuaded the UK government to see sense.

“The UK needs to modernise its prison system, but I hope in future the UK government reaches out to the Welsh government in a more constructive way to ensure more appropriate locations are put forward.”