Go-ahead for coastal link (From Penarth Times)

Go-ahead for coastal link

THE VALE of Glamorgan Council gave the go-ahead for the ambitious Penarth Headland Link to be built by accepting a grant offer from the Welsh Assembly Government at a cabinet meeting last week.

The anticipated completion date for the long-awaited coastal link at Penarth is March 2008.

The council accepted a formal offer of a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government of 6.6m. Just under 1m of further WAG funding has already been spent on feasibility studies, demolishing Penarth seafront's former multi-storey car park, design work and obtaining planning approval. In February the council agreed to provide 2m in match funding and a willingness to underwrite any additional costs.

The link will contain a pedestrian and a cycle route beneath the headland between the Esplanade and the Cardiff Bay Barrage.

The project is also being backed by a 1m grant from Cardiff Harbour Authority.

The one-kilometre link, which will also encompass a road train facility, is viewed as vital to the future regeneration of Penarth.

Council leader Jeffrey James said: "I am delighted the council is now in a position to accept this formal grant offer from the Assembly and to press on with work on this long-awaited project.

"Members and officers have worked enthusiastically to keep the Assembly on board in terms of funding, and we will now be giving the project urgent priority to ensure its delivery by March, 2008, in line with Assembly grant conditions.

"This decision is great news for Penarth and for the eastern Vale, and I hope that all members of the communities involved will work with the council in delivering this landmark proposal.

"This exciting scheme will help strengthen Penarth's identity by increasing awareness and accessibility of the town and its seafront for visitors to the Cardiff Bay Barrage."