Can the Vale Cope with Defence Academy project without funds for new roads?

To the Editor, Glamorgan Gem   

You ask - can the Vale cope with the Defence Academy
project without funds for new roads?

My answer - Rhodri Morgan said last January that roads
funding should come via the MOD with any contract.
Let's stick by that.

Phase 1 on its own would have similar numbers
(1100) to those stationed and working there a few
years ago.  Now Phase 2 has been abandoned, the
case for MOD funding a new 'strategic' road is weak.

The problem lies with the former WDA's speculative
proposal for an aerospace business park, on ex-airfield
land.  This was supposed to produce 2000 jobs, but
this seems no more secure that the WDA's other
business park ventures and may go the same way
as the LG site.

Why should the Vale allow this speculative business
park to bypass normal planning processes?
If a new road is considered necessary to
serve it, let's see the up-front cost and
make it a condition of any
planning permission.

And, hopefully, Phase 1 may still unravel
and the Aerospace Park
prove to be unsound.

Max Penarth 
http://stathanmilitaryacademypoliticians.blogspot.com/

‘Act now on airport road’ – call by the Vale MP

Vale MP, John Smith, is calling for action to ease congestion at Culverhouse Cross and improve roads to Cardiff International Airport and the planned Defence Training Academy at St Athan. Mr Smith said: “While I recognise the need for a long-term solution in the form of a direct link from the M4 to the airport and the Defence Academy, there is need for immediate action. “The present situation is not acceptable. Cardiff is one of the fastest growing regional airports in the UK, and building work on the Defence Academy is expected to begin in 2009. This leaves us with a short window of opportunity. “I shall be writing to the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its consultation on improving access to Cardiff International Airport, urging them to examine the possibility of improvements to the present airport access route from junction 33 of the M4 via Culverhouse Cross through north Barry and to the Airport and St Athan. “I believe there is an urgent need for a dedicated route to Barry skirting the western side of Culverhouse Cross. “This would provide vital breathing space while a new long-term solution is built from the M4 to the airport and the Defence Academy,” the MP insisted.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 07 December 07

PCS WELCOME U TURN ON MOD Privatisation

PCS View Dec/Jan 2007