A  decision on the Circuit of Wales project will be made next Tuesday, it has been announced.

The £425 million scheme, which involves a modern new racetrack and other facilities in Ebbw Vale, has been in progress since 2011 and has seen a number of false starts, with applications twice been turned down by the Welsh Government over concerns around the amount of public investment required.

A third application was submitted earlier this year and yesterday (June 21), economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates announced a decision would be made on Tuesday, June 27.

Speaking in the Senedd in response to a question from senior Plaid AM Adam Price, Mr Skates said: “The decision will be taken by the cabinet next Tuesday and it’s my intention to ensure that members are informed of that decision as soon as possible thereafter.”

Mr Price called on the secretary to release the details of how the decision would be reached.

He said: “Given that we’ve had six years of deliberation on this project, can the cabinet secretary assure us that when he gets up next week it will be a case of not another delay, or a deferral with a further change potentially in the government’s evaluation criteria, but a final and definitive decision in relation to this project?”

Mr Skates replied: “The first minister and I have been clear that, in determining the Circuit of Wales, the project must stand up on its own two feet

“It must deliver for the people of Blaenau Gwent and the Heads of the Valleys.”

He added: “We need to examine the value for money, the jobs that are likely to be created, and the viability and sustainability of the project, not just during construction but for several decades.

“All of those are being considered as part of the work that’s taking place right now in the lead-up to the cabinet decision next week.

“The project, as the member is aware, has evolved many, many times during the last five to six years, and whilst previous reviews have been carried out, and appraisals have been carried out, they would relate to previous business models.”

 

 

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