DWYFOR Meironnydd’s MP is fighting to retain and improve cashpoint services her constituents are “crying out” for.

Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts has succeeded in bringing an independent review looking into retaining nationwide access to cash to her constituency, which has suffered disproportionally from recent bank closures and the lack of free-to-use ATM machines.

The Independent Access to Cash Review has been established to consider consumer requirements for cash over the next five to 15 years and will look into the accessibility of cash machines and trends in cash usage.

Following lobbying by Mrs Saville Roberts, the review will hold a consultation in Porthmadog, having previously earmarked Cardiff as the only location in Wales to hold one.

In all, only eight areas across the UK will host the consultation.

Local charities and support services have been invited to attend the workshop. They include; Age Cymru Gwynedd & Môn, Gwynedd Citizens Advice Bureau, GISDA, Meirionnydd Access Group, Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor Students Union and representatives from local foodbanks.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “Having lobbied hard for rural communities to be given the opportunity to have their say on the access to cash crisis blighting towns and villages across Wales, I’m pleased the independent review looking into this will hold a consultation in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

“It is absolutely vital that our rural communities and those who live and work here make their voices heard during this consultation.

“If our dwindling ATMs face further threats, then many people will be left struggling to access the cash they need -–with severe consequences for communities and businesses.

“Our communities cannot afford to lose more cashpoints, which local businesses and people rely on.

“With the perennial closure of high street banks, cashpoints have become a necessity for many communities in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.”

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