THE Minister for Finance has recently unveiled the draft Welsh budget outlining Welsh Government priorities.

This includes a commitment of £425m of extra funding for the Welsh NHS over two years reflecting the fact that health is a priority for many residents in Islwyn, if my postbag is to be believed.

This is despite the budget for 2015/16 being cut by the UK Government by around 10 per cent in real terms since 2010/11 equating to more than £1.5 billion removed from the public purse.

I’m glad the Welsh Government is listening to people and is prioritising spending on the NHS and protecting education funding, supporting families across Wales.

Speaking of difficult decisions, I do not envy the tough decision made by Natural Resources Wales to close the Cwmcarn Forest Drive road from November.

I am saddened by the decision and the loss of the trees however I understand the decision had to be taken to fell more than 150,000 larch trees to stop the spread of highly infectious Larch disease.

The road will have to close to allow the heavy machinery needed to fell and transport the trees to be on-site and it would be dangerous to allow members of the public to access the road while the work takes place.

I have been informed that Natural Resources Wales really want the road to be opened after the works are completed.

I think it’s important to stress that many of the Drive’s facilities will remain open despite the road closure. I regularly visit the Forest Drive which is regularly acclaimed as one of the top attractions in South Wales and was delighted to welcome the economy and tourism minister, Edwina Hart to the Forest Drive to open new biking facilities including 15 kilometres of new biking trails and a new pump track.

These new trails along with the visitor centre, café, fishing lake and walks will all stay open, though some of the trails may be subject to diversions at times due to the tree felling.

Natural Resources Wales have been holding drop-in sessions for locals and visitors to ask questions and raise concerns. Following these conversations, they have produced a helpful Frequently Asked Question guide available on their website at http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/

I will be following developments in the Forest Drive closely over the coming years and hope to see the road re-opened and the area’s facilities continuing to flourish.