Major transport investment has been announced by the Welsh Government, as part of a £600M plus promise of new infrastructure to boost the economy.

Phase one of a South East Wales metro system is proposed at a cost of £62M to improve bus and rail links. Other schemes include £40M to dual the A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr, £40M to upgrade the M4 Brynglas Tunnels and £17M to improve the A55 in North Wales.

Finance Minister Jane Hutt said: “The new £617.5M capital investment package will deliver real benefit across Wales and create or support more than 11,000 jobs over the next three years. We will also take every opportunity to use European funding to maximise our investments in essential infrastructure.”

Public exhibitions for the A465 dualling project will be held during November. The 8.1km section of road will be the fourth section of the ‘Heads of the Valley’ dualling project to be delivered.

Proposals include widening the existing road as it passes through Clydach Gorge. It will link up with section one of the Heads of the Valley scheme (Abergavenny to Gilwern) which was completed in 2008 and section three (Brynmawr to Tredegar) due for completion in 2015.

Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “This scheme will make a major contribution to delivering economic benefits by improving transport links for the area including the Ebbw Vale enterprise zone and improving safety.

To return to the newsletter, please close this window.