Link walkway under threat (From Penarth Times)

Link walkway under threat

THE HEADLAND Link walkway, seen by many as vital to Penarth's future economy, is under threat.

The town's MP Alun Michael has accused the Vale of Glamorgan Council of jeopardising crucial Assembly funding for the proposed physical link with Cardiff Bay, saying that the authority's failure to move forward plans to build the walkway could result in the cash being lost.

In a joint statement, Alun Michael MP and Lorraine Barrett AM, said: "The Assembly's Economic Development Minister Andrew Davies has written to the leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council informing him that funding could be cancelled if they fail to convince him that they are able to complete the project.

"We would regard this as a major disaster for the economy and future of Penarth if this funding is cancelled.

"This link will turn Penarth into a destination for the increasing number of visitors to the Cardiff Bay waterfront. It is central to our vision of the future of Penarth."

Alun Michael added: "Penarth as a seaside town has something unique to add to the Cardiff Bay concept. Without the link, Penarth and its town centre are a pleasant part of the past - with the link an exciting and vibrant future beckons for the town.

"The walkway dropped off the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation agenda and was put back on at my insistence. It was also part of the legacy from the Welsh Office and the National Assembly for Wales. "To find that four years later the local authority has failed to use the money offered by the National Assembly is one of the most serious failures of local government leadership that we have seen in many years."

Vale Council leader Jeff James countered: "The Vale of Glamorgan Council was allocated £7.5 million, a figure which was never based on any proper cost estimate for the project.

"The council's consultants, who developed a detailed design, have previously estimated that the project will cost up to £13.5 million, well above the allocation.

"The council has looked at additional sources of funding and asked the Assembly, almost a year ago, to extend the funding period. No substantive reply has been received from the Assembly, despite the council giving detailed information on the scheme's progress."