TORFAEN council has launched an attempt to secure up to £5 million to regenerate parts of the borough.

Torfaen’s cabinet agreed to support an application for Welsh Government funding under the ‘Vibrant and Variable Places’ programme.

The scheme allows funding for projects including town centre regeneration work in the form of the things like converting empty shops for other uses such as residential and improving transport infrastructure.

The selection process for projects is over two rounds starting on July 12 and it is likely that only six projects across the whole of Wales will be successful in securing some of the money.

Cabinet was adamant it was a good idea.

Deputy leader, Cllr Lewis Jones said: “The whole Valley has suffered from the lack of trains.

“This is an ideal opportunity to revamp the station [at Pontypool and New Inn], maybe to serve to the other side of the town and perhaps expand a proper transport hub with buses and taxis to help ease long term commuting problems.”

His colleague Gwyneira Clark agreed.

“I think road infrastructure which this could help fund is hugely important, particularly in the north of the Borough.”

But while cabinet member for infrastructure Anthony Hunt also welcomed the idea in principle he warned that the necessary 25 per cent match funding Torfaen would have to guarantee could be hard to find.