Centrral Park is back on track (From Barry And District News)

Centrral Park is back on track

THE ambitious Central Park scheme is back on track after a funding scare raised doubts over its future.

Plans to turn the derelict area into a clean open space for the community are continuing despite the Welsh Development Agency's (WDA) budget shortfall of nearly £20 million.

As reported in the News, long-time campaigner Dilys Colborne was concerned the £600,000 needed for the scheme would not be released.

But Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt has cast aside fears following a meeting with her Welsh Government colleague Andrew Davies and WDA representatives.

Ms Hutt told the News: "After discussions with economic development minister Andrew Davies and representations to WDA chief executive Graham Hawker, I have been assured that the WDA will fund the Town Hall and Central Park project."

She acknowledged that funding for the project had appeared to be in doubt, but she now had a letter from Mr Davies confirming the WDA would continue to support the Town Hall project.

Ms Hutt added: "This is great news for Barry and the people who have worked hard to get this project off the ground over years, and I am glad that I was able to secure this commitment, which makes all their hard work worth while."

The matter is set to be discussed further when Ms Hutt welcomes Mr Davies to the town. He will attend a 'Better Barry Breakfast' at Barry College on March 22.

At the meeting, the economic regeneration of the town will be discussed in depth.

The health minister will also be welcoming First Minister Rhodri Morgan to Barry on April 8, when he will open the new skills training centre and third phase of Barry Steam Railway.

Both of these projects have received WDA and National Assembly funding.

The WDA is giving careful consideration to its project prioritisation so that it can maximise its participation in economic regeneration work.

This work will be completed very soon and the Agency will then be able to confirm its total commitment to Barry for the next financial year.