Link is too costly (From Penarth Times)

Link is too costly

THE WALKWAY meant to link Penarth to the prosperous Cardiff Bay is under threat after reports reveal it may be too expensive to build.

The preferred scheme for the new Penarth Headland Link has been costed at nearly £13.5 million.

The Vale of Glamorgan council's Cabinet learned the National Assembly for Wales had committed £7.5 million towards the scheme.

The Assembly decided to pour a massive amount of cash into the scheme when considering the proposed pedestrian link between the Penarth end of Cardiff Bay Barrage and Penarth Esplanade after the winding up of Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.

At the time no detailed work had been carried out on the design of a preferred design.

When the commitment was made, it was for a wooden structure. This would have been too expensive to maintain in the long-term, especially as it was to be built so close to the sea. As such, more research was carried out into the materials to be used for the walkway.

The Cabinet agreed to progress with the preferred scheme to examine sources of additional funding and to seek extra funding from the National Assembly.

The first detailed cost estimate for the important regional facility follows reports from leading firms of architects and structural engineers.

Council Leader Cllr Jeff James said: "This phase of their work is complete and it has been estimated that to produce an attractive, high quality and durable structure in this sometimes hostile environment, will cost in the region of £13.5 million.

"The council recognises this scheme is of significant importance to Penarth and is viewed as a major contribution towards the economic and tourism future of the area.

"Aspirations are high in respect of this development and we are saying this is the scheme we think should be properly funded and developed."