THIS month the 10 councils that make up the Cardiff Capital Region signed off on their commitment for a City Deal for the region.

City deals are a way of different levels of government financing big infrastructure projects and regeneration over long periods of time.

The 10 councils committed to the project include, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Newport, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Monmouthshire.

The deal will unlock significant economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region, bringing 25,000 new jobs and an extra £4 billion in private sector investment.

Improving transport infrastructure is key to the City Deal’s success.

Cardiff is set to be one of the UK’s fastest growing cities and with 80,000 commuting already into the Cardiff Capital Region, improving the infrastructure is vital to keep business moving across the region.

The City Deal includes £734 million for the South Wales Metro, which will connect all the major settlements in the Cardiff City region with a high capacity/frequency, affordable, ‘turn up and go’ urban metro.

A South Wales Metro will bring significant economic gains for my constituency and the wider South Wales region, including improved access to jobs and becoming a better place to do business.

The City Deal also includes £495 million for projects including an 'innovation district' and investing in a software academy, data innovation, a cyber security academy and new approaches to public service delivery.

There will be also be improved wi-fi on public transport and increased housing supply further away from the city centre because improved transport links will reduce journey times for commuters.

Further good news for Penarth is that play areas will benefit from new play equipment and repairs to existing facilities.

New play facilities at Cwrt y Vil should be finished in the next couple of weeks and Cliff Walk should be completed by Easter.

A total of seven play areas across Penarth will benefit from upgrades.

The investment in our play areas will benefit children and parents in the area. I'm sure that as a local dad I will be making use of the new play facilities.