Headland Link work is due to start again (From Penarth Times)

Headland Link work is due to start again

VALE of Glamorgan Council plans for the Penarth Headland Link are back on track.

The council has been given the green light by the Welsh Assembly Government to re-start work on the link between the town's Esplan-ade and the Cardiff Bay Barrage, and will be working towards a completion date of 2008, in line with new funding arrangements.

Progress on the project had stalled because of funding fears, leading to a request to WAG to reaffirm a 7.5m grant.

The council also pledged 2m of capital cash - and a willingness to underwrite any additional costs. The project is also being backed by a 1m grant from the Cardiff Harbour Authority.

The kilometre-long link, which will be for pedestrians and cyclists and include a road train facility, is viewed as vital to the future regeneration of Penarth.

Council leader Cllr Jeffrey James said: "I am delighted Assembly minister for economic development and transport Andrew Davies has taken on board my call for the council to be given the go-ahead to recommence work on this project.

"The Assembly had indicated it was minded to terminate its grant, but has looked at our sterling efforts to the get this scheme off the ground and been persuaded to extend the period for the grant to be spent.

"The council was, unfortunately, unsuccessful in its attempts to seek alternative forms of funding to add to the original grant and, appreciating the huge importance of this landmark project, earmarked its own financial package."