Businesses from across the Cardiff Capital City Region have been updated on the progression of the South Wales Metro phase two plans.

They were also provided with the opportunity to discover how the system is set to boost individual business and the region as a whole.

During a South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce business breakfast, attendees were addressed by Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in Connectivity at Cardiff University, who previously worked alongside the Welsh Government in pioneering the Metro development.

Professor Barry explained that he expects, as Welsh Government have set out, the next phase of the Metro to focus on the core valley lines north of Cardiff, which are to be converted into a modern rapid transit network supporting more and faster services, new stations and extensions.

He said: “The Metro will transform connectivity and accessibility across the whole of south east Wales proving a once-in-a-generation economic stimulus. It will allow Cardiff to support more and higher value jobs and at the same time enable places like Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Bridgend and Caerphilly to support more employment and play a more prominent role in the regional economy.

“Economic development in the Cardiff Capital City Region requires a more sophisticated and regional approach, involving a complementary integrated transport and land-use plan for the region that reflects the strengths of all the region’s key commercial centres.

“Going beyond the ‘hard’ economic and regenerative benefits, there are others we can exploit related to our communities, culture, green infrastructure, food and tourism; all are enabled to a lesser or greater extent by enhanced connectivity.”

President of the South and Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce Liz Maher said: “We are pleased that the Welsh Government has committed to developing the next phase of the Metro. South east Wales needs a transport network which supports the needs of businesses in the region and the Metro is a crucial piece of the jigsaw, with the M4 relief road another.

“A key role of the chamber of commerce is to ensure the business community knows what’s going on in South Wales, and I am grateful to Mark Barry for bringing chamber members up to speed on how the scheme is progressing.”