A REPORT into the Cardiff Capital Region deal has found that better transport links and closer working relationships between the 10 councils involved are crucial to the scheme’s success.
The report was launched today at the University of South Wales campus in Newport.
The Cardiff Capital Region deal was signed by the leaders of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, and Vale of Glamorgan councils and aims to create around 25,000 new jobs across South East Wales.
At the centre of the deal are plans for the £734m valleys Metro line.
A review, led by Professor Greg Clark for the Growth and Competiveness Commission said rail improvements were vital to creating a “more prosperous, more inclusive and more sustainable” region.
Identified as similarly high priority are investing in education, fostering employment growth, developing strategic planning to enable house-building and regeneration efforts and improving city and town centres among others.
The report was formed through evidence by more than 100 witnesses during open sessions held in September. More than 1,500 people also gave their views via an online survey.
Writing in the report Professor Clark said: “We do not see inevitable or unresolvable tensions between the priorities we have identified.
“But the Commissioners recognise that they can only be achieved if the region becomes much better connected and inter-dependent, and if investment in connectivity is used to drive changes in transport modes, new land uses, the fostering of a multi-centred economy, and improved liveability for people at all levels of income.”
“Improvements in rail connections must act as drivers and enablers of broader placemaking, business clustering, higher skills and bolder aspirations for the city-region.”
The Commission was jointly established by the ten local authorities within the Cardiff Capital Region.
The Commission report can be read at www.cardiffcapitalregioncitydeal.wales http://www.cytundebdinesigprifddinasranbarthcaerdydd.cymru
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