A PLAN to boost the economies of two Gwent boroughs includes drawing up masterplans for employment sites, a focus on affordable homes and improving transport.
The plan states a “Tech Valleys metro” would take advantage of transport innovations to provide “more frequent and better integrated” bus and train services in and between Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.
Both councils, which have agreed a federation model that sees them share some senior officers, are putting together a joint blueprint for economic growth.
Greg Macdonald, the interim head of economy for both authorities, told a Torfaen council scrutiny meeting that improving transport is a key part of the plan.
He said there are some “good” transport links at present but they need to be improved so young people, without cars, can get to training opportunities and said: “That’s something that needs to be pushed at a regional and national level to get that investment.”
Labour councillor for Llanyrafon David Williams said at present it isn’t easy to travel between the neighbouring boroughs by public transport.
He said: “I’m one of the few members who actually goes on the bus a lot and I had the experience that to get to Blaenau Gwent by bus I had to go down to Newport first.”
Reform UK councillor for Llantarnam Alan Slade said he was concerned the blueprint could either duplicate, or even compete, with plans set out by the Cardiff City Region which both councils, along with eight others in South East Wales, are part of.
Cllr Joanna Gauden, Torfaen council’s Labour cabinet member responsible for the economy, said decisions made by the two councils will feed into the plans agreed at the regional level.
Chris Ashman, the independent consultant who has worked with the councils on the blueprint, said the South Wales Metro is a £1.2 billion project over 10 years and he said as it moves forward the capital region will be looking for more programmes to enhance it.
The committee was also told how the recent decision to work on a joint local development plan, setting out where land for new employment and housing should be located, will form one of the plan’s 14 workstreams.
Christina Harrhy, who will shortly leave her post as joint director of economy for both councils to head up the disused coal tips authority, said at present most potential development sites are in Blaenau Gwent along the A465 but said “a lot of sites in Torfaen will become available”.
As part of the plan it is intended that the councils will appoint a commercial development partner, which is likely to done this summer.
The blueprint identifies The British in Talywaun, near Pontypool, several sites around Cwmbran and Mamhilad, alongside the A4042 near Pontypool as “larger strategic employment areas” that will each require their own masterplan along with The Works and Northern Corridor and the former Civic Cenre site in Ebbw Vale and the former Nantyglo School site.
The plan states a housing stream will require a “range of housing types with a particular focus on more affordable homes to support local people that are well connected to new transport hubs.”
In response to Labour member for Panteg, Nathan Yeowell, who questioned if the plan would still be relevant if the Welsh Government changes hands in May, or next year’s council election results in a new administration, officers said the plan is intended to set local priorities and is flexible.