Airport link is now a 'top priority' (From Barry And District News)

Airport link is now a 'top priority'

THE VALE Council's Head of Economic Development has once again stressed the importance of providing a high quality link between the M4 and Cardiff Wales Airport to economic development in the Vale.

Speaking at a Question Time-style meeting held in Penarth's Paget Rooms, as part of the Vale council's State of the Area Debate, Chris Fray said: "Ever since the new council was formed in 1996 a good quality road linking Barry and Cardiff Wales Airport with the Cardiff circular and the M4 has been top priority."

A consultation study carried out by the Welsh Assembly Government last autumn into options concluded the need for short-term improvement and a 'fundable' long-term solution.

The outcome of the study was "cautiously welcomed" by the Vale council.

Chris Fray said he was happy with the progress of the regeneration scheme for the Vale but admitted that a better airport link would give the region a massive economic boost.

Chairman of the Vale Council Anthony Powell said: "Barry Action, the partnership between the Welsh Development Agency and the Vale Council, has been successful in securing over £100 million in regeneration funding. There are 77 hectares of brownfield site that have been regenerated in Barry.

"Our regeneration strategy has focussed on developing traditional areas of strength like the chemical industry, aerospace and tourism.

"The next stages of regeneration will focus on attracting retail investment and setting up a university tourism faculty in partnership with the University of Wales Institute Cardiff."

Other projects in the pipeline include the maximisation of the Vale's potential for film and media production.

Council officials conceded that regeneration in Barry had been much easier to achieve than in other parts of the Vale where WDA and European funding was not available.

But admitted that the Vale Council had been forced to adopt an "opportunistic" approach to regeneration in Penarth.