THE people of Blaenau Gwent have been “strung along with false hope and empty promises” over the Circuit of Wales, an AM has claimed.

Yesterday the Argus reported Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price had raised concerns over further potential delays to the £425 million project. And speaking in the Senedd yesterday afternoon he criticised Wales’ economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates for claiming in February a decision would be made within six weeks.

“What you’ve done is conduct a forensic audit with the express purpose, it seems to me, of finding some excuse, any excuse at all, to justify saying ‘no’,” he said.

“And isn’t it also the case that, having first delayed the decision until after the May local elections, you’re now delaying it beyond June 8?

“Not because of any gaps in information, but because you don’t want to be open and honest with the people of Blaenau Gwent, who you’ve strung along with false hope and empty promises for six years.”

But Mr Skates said Mr Price was “completely and utterly wrong”.

“My duty is to ensure that projects that can create jobs, that are sustainable, get the support of this government,” he said. “My job is to make sure we invest our resources where there are employment opportunities.

“I am excited by this project, but I will not short-circuit the due diligence process.”