£107m agreed for road project aimed at boosting economy in Neath Port Talbot
A MULTI-MILLON pound investment to complete a second phase of a major transport route in Neath Port Talbot has been given the green light.
Funding of £107 million from the Assembly and EU has been approved, and will enable the completion of the Peripheral Distributor Road (PDR) in Port Talbot.
Six hundred jobs will be created during the 33-month construction phase, which will provide a 4.8km link to the M4 at junction 38 into Port Talbot and the docks.
Announcing the funding, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said: “Despite challenging economic times we are determined to invest in capital projects that will bring long-term structural and economic benefits.
“This investment will improve journey times, reduce congestion, encourage further investment, access to jobs and regeneration in the South West Wales region.
"Our new policy, Economic Renewal: A New Direction, outlines the importance of building the right infrastructure to boost our economy and supporting people, communities and business to live, work and prosper.”
The final phase will connect with previously completed phases and make available up to 210 hectares of mainly brownfield land for development of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and other industry with access to European markets, with the aim of creating employment opportunities and regeneration.
Access to Port Talbot Docks and Deep Water Harbour will be improved, and it is hoped that opportunities will be created for transfer of freight from road to sea, increased shipping activity and waterfront development.
Neath Port Talbot Council leader Ali Thomas said: “This is excellent news for Neath Port Talbot. This strategic road will provide an attractive gateway to the town and open up development opportunities along our waterfront area, in particular the Harbourside and Port Talbot Town centre regeneration areas.
“It will benefit our local communities, visitors and businesses alike, and attract new investment and employment opportunities, not only during the construction period, but for generations to come.
“It will also improve access to local amenities and leisure facilities within the borough, bolstering the county’s already expanding tourism economy.
“Together with the recent news of further major investment by Corus at their Port Talbot plant, this announcement demonstrates the growing confidence in the area and will ensure that Neath Port Talbot continues to be an increasingly attractive place to live, work and invest.”
Corus is to spend £185 million rebuilding No 4 Blast Furnace.
gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk
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by Orecarrier, Port Talbot
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:04AM
“Leader Ali Thomas said it will improve access to local amenities and leisure facilities. Does this man not know that our Leisure Centre, the Afan Lido, burned down, and it appears the council have no intention of replacing it.”
by jeffery, still dirtytown
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 5:01PM
“Forgot to mention the first phase of the PDR. Council claimed credit for design and build of this. Have any of you noticed the dip in the road as you go off the PDR roundabout towards Afandale and the western avenue roundabout. Council said this would be repaired before it was adopted and later stated it would be repaired when the road was due for maintenance . I still believe the council should fetch back the people who built the dip and not expect taxpayers to foot the bill for substandard work. What state will the 107 million development end up in with the current attitude of these incompetent managers that are running the town now, we are all share holders in this town an the council is there to run it for the benefit of the council tax payers. The only benefits I see is they get large salaries and every year we pay higher taxes to fund their incompetence. We have to accept the poor service they are prepared ti dish out. It is time we all revolted and got rid of the incompetents in this town.”
by Ivor Hadenough, Swansea
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:21PM
“I seem to remember that Port Talbot was promised a Bowling Rink and now the building located at the seafront is has been empty for three years and is now being vandalised, there was the promise of a new shopping area on the old council offices grounds and stores had promised to move there. Seems the Local Council are full of promises but do not deliver. If they seriously think that this new road will relieve congestion on the M4 - dream on.”
by Paul Johnson, Sandfields, Port Talbot
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:15PM
“I agree with jeffery with regard to the Water St fiasco. I'd heard it cost £33,000 to put the blocker there only for it to be removed when it had done it's job. The whole reason behind installing the blocker was to cut down on pollution! Rubbish! If pollution is an issue there then why give in to local traders? The only reason for this shambles was to force drivers to use the alternative route because no one in their right mind wanted to use it!
Louise also raises a valid point. How much is the Council paying for the security contract to guard it? Why has nothing been said on this issue since the fire?
We live under the rule of a corrupt authority and the sooner everyone in the town realises that, the better!”
by jeffery, still dirtytown
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 8:05PM
“Page 21 of September 7th evening post show a huddle of people stroking themselves as they try to glorify themselves for spending 107 million pounds of tax payers money to build a road which they claim will alleviate congestion on the M4. Do they have a complete brain cell between them. I see one person believes in upholding dual standards to the benefit of the council. There is one person who does not live in the ward he represents , two highly paid council workers and a WAG member who threatened to blackmail labour after this last election to get money back for Wales. None of these people live in Port Talbot but are quite prepared to live off the backs of the residents of Port Talbot.
For years there has been a congestion problem on the M4 around Pentyla. It does not take much common sense to carry out a short trial by closing the west bound Pentyla on ramp to see if this gets rid of the choke point. Not one of these people has the sense to try this before spending 107 million on a project that will take 33 months and still not be guaranteed to fix the problem. Why should we wait another three years with congestion and pollution. This is the set who made water street one way than backed down when trades people raised objection about loosing trade. Funny how pollution can disappear at a whim when it suit¿s the council. This is the usual statisticians ploy of if the statistics do not work , find another way of analysing them. My feeling is they should all be sacked for what they have done to this town. Was Flower responsible for removing the roundabout in Station road and replacing it with traffic lights and then the consequential increase in accidents at that point.
The post should stop being selective on which stories they allow comments !”