I HAVE been following the debate on the Circuit of Wales project and feel that the potential economic benefits to Blaenau Gwent have been hugely exaggerated while the negative environmental impact has been understated.

The circuit may initially provide some construction jobs, but these are likely to go to specialist contractors from outside the area. Long term, any employment is likely to be low paid, part time seasonal work in the hospitality industry and will not meet the aspirations of local people.

At the same time, a huge swathe of unspoiled moorland and valuable wildlife habitat will be lost forever and there will be mammoth traffic congestion and severe noise and air pollution which will ruin the quality of life of those of us living and working in the vicinity.

The billions to be invested in this project would be better spent on improving transport links from the Gwent valleys to the M4 corridor where there are genuinely sustainable employment opportunities in the conurbations around Cardiff and Newport.

D Layton, Abertillery