16 WALESTOP3002008
WALESTOP300
W
ales over the next ten
years will face increased
competition from other
European Union member
states in all our major
sectors � manufacturing, tourism,
agriculture and our growing commercial
businesses.
South-east Wales must continue to be
easily connected to a leading world
financial centre on our doorstep � London.
In the east of the European Union other
small countries such as Lithuania see
similar opportunities deriving from
Frankfurt.
All these require skills that Wales has, but
coupled with a more assertive tourism
promotion strategy. But in all cases we
need a transport infrastructure providing
the connectivity with our trading partners
and within our country.
But how much of that transport facility
can we expect to achieve however over
the next ten years?
On the rail system we will see the
replacement of the current inter city 125
trains between South Wales and London
by the new HST2 trains, which will cut
about 15 minutes off the current journeys.
To achieve this Department for Transport
has to move more quickly than usual and
decide which of the two bidders are to
provide the new rolling stock.
Electrification is also possible on the lines
from Heathrow Airport to Swansea and
from Crewe to Holyhead thus providing
through electric trains at least from
London. Unlike our European neighbours
our current zero electrified track would
receive a small boost though the
Wrexham to Bidston service which along
with doubling of the track to Chester
would provide a fast commuter service
between North Wales and Cheshire or
Merseyside. This would then be part of the
economic appraisal for a widened A494 at
Ewloe.
On the roads do not expect the new M4
to have been completed because it isn't
needed in its present form and at �600m is
not affordable.
A clever alternative has been identified:
upgrade the A48 from junction 28, install
new junctions on the Newport southern
distributor road, buy a disused wide
private road behind the Llanwern
steelworks, and dual a local road to
junction 23a. An extra four lanes of high
quality road can solve the peak capacity
problem at the Brynglas tunnels and at a
fraction of the M4 cost with no tolls.
Adding tolls to those on the bridge will
hardly encourage inward investment.
In Mid Wales the road links to Shrewsbury
TORFAEN - the most easterly of the South
Wales Valleys, covering the area from
Cwmbran in the south to Blaenavon in the
north � offers an excellent business
location.
The Torfaen economy is changing. There
are still a number of major employers but
larger traditional manufacturing activities
are giving way to smaller, modern
manufacturing, service sector and office-
based businesses as the area embraces
change and creates the growth
environment for the businesses of the
future.
There has been significant activity in the
office sector with new developments at
Brecon Court and Lakeside Court on
Llantarnam Park, where the former Brecon
House has been refurbished for office use
and has proven to be very popular.
Such investments across Torfaen, along
with high levels of occupancy, demonstrate
the commitment of local business to the
area. This also highlights the attractiveness
of Torfaen in terms of its location, workforce
and industrial heritage.
The Council is playing its part in
regenerating the local economy in catering
for the needs of growth businesses. The
Economic Development Team has many
years of experience working with
companies and offers a range of services
that include business planning, locating
premises, funding and marketing support.
The Council has built the Springboard
Innovation Centre which is at the forefront
of activities to make Wales a successful
platform for both new and up and coming
businesses. The Centre, based in Llantarnam
Park, Cwmbran, provides the ideal office
environment backed up with a strong
business support network.
This business incubation centre provides a
supportive environment that accelerates
the successful development of business
start-ups and provides equipment and
technology support for all their-in-house
business needs. xz
To find out what Torfaen has to offer
businesses visit
www.torfaenbusiness.co.uk
TRANSPORTATION OUTLOOK
SPONSORED PROFILE: TORFAEN COUNCIL
MOVING WITH
THE TIMES
TORFAEN � SUPPORTING
BUSINESS GROWTH
Springboard
Innovation
Centre
What Support is out there for
Torfaen Business today?
Did you know there is a range of Free Impartial
Expertise within our Economic Development Team:-
General Business Support | Development Opportunities | Environmental Advice | Marketing Advice |
On-line Business Property Register
If you are a business in Torfaen or are interested in moving your business to the Torfaen Area.
Why not log onto: www.torfaenbusiness.co.uk
or for an initial conversation
contact The Business Support
Team on
01633 648644
Professor Stuart Cole and Martin Evans of the
University of Glamorgan assess the major transportation
issues facing Wales over the next decade
The Great
Western main
line between
London
Paddington and
South Wales has
been promised
the new HST2

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