- 03/10/2011
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
The Welsh Government has pledged to support a programme that is revamping town centres in the western valleys until at least 2016.
In answer to a question asked by Mid and West Wales Labour AM Joyce Watson in the National Assembly on Wednesday (28 September), the Regeneration Minister Huw Lewis confirmed that the Welsh Government would support the Western Valleys Strategic Area programme through the course of the fourth Assembly (until in 2016).
Since the regeneration programme was established in 2008, over £1 million has already been committed to town centre development projects in Ammanford and about £0.5 million in Ystradgynlais. On Tuesday (27 September), the Minister confirmed that Ammanford, Crosshands, Glynneath, Neath, Pontardawe and Ystradgynlais will receive a share of a further £1,004,769.
Mrs Watson welcomed the announcement and asked whether the Labour Government would maintain its commitment to developing town centres in the western valleys until the next election in 2016.
“Commitments to areas like the western Valleys will be honoured through the course of this Assembly term.
“Our commitment to the western Valleys will be honoured”, the Minister confirmed.
As part of the latest funding round, Ammanford will receive £325,000 to continue the work already undertaken in the town and Ystradgynlais will receive £50,000 to produce detailed designs for a number of enhancement projects.
The Western Valleys were designated a Strategic Regeneration Area (SRA) in November 2008. The SRA will co-ordinate and deliver regeneration projects against an agreed action plan which is currently in development in conjunction with local stakeholders. The action plan will tackle the core issues affecting the area’s communities and will build on the partnership work already being undertaken with the five local authority areas involved.
