Construction work on the £315m Circuit of Wales project is set to begin early in the New Year, it has emerged.
Preparation groundwork is due to start in January, while it is hoped construction work on the site in Blaenau Gwent will start in late February or early March.
The proposed start date comes after the project was finally given the green light after its final planning issue was resolved in November.
The firm behind the project, the Heads of the Valleys Development Company, received Welsh Government approval on de-registering 830 acres of common land that covers the proposed site last month .
Preparation work will start in January
They are now putting firm plans in place to get the ball rolling for the first phase of construction in the New Year.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the Circuit of Wales project
The company has already appointed Spanish construction giant FCC as the project’s main contractor, as well as Abergavenny -based civil engineering firm Alun Griffiths Contractors.
The project will bring an international motorsport circuit to the site north of Ebbw Vale , near the Rassau Industrial Estate, alongside a one million sq ft technology park and training facility.
The main race track is 3.5 miles in length and there will be additional smaller circuits for karting, motocross and 4×4.
Motor sports and automotive testing facilities, including a driver training centre and automotive proving ground are also planned.
Project will bring international motorsport circuit to Blaenau Gwent
A technology park and incubator, providing for research and development and support services across the automotive, clean-tech and high value engineering sectors, will also feature.
There are also plans for a 30 megawatt solar park from Chinese firm Hanergy, as well as two hotels.
The aim is to have the track completed for the circuit to stage the British MotoGP in 2017, before the entire development is completed in 2020.
Around 6,000 full-time jobs are expected to be created when it is completed, while annual visitor number are projected to be in the region of 750,000.
Blaenau Gwent AM Alun Davies said: “2016 could be a real game changer in Blaenau Gwent. The Circuit of Wales has all the permissions and consents necessary for work to start.
“We can’t wait to see the diggers getting on site and construction work beginning.
“We have three main challenges ahead as I see it. Firstly, getting the circuit built and establishing it as a major part of the international racing schedule, secondly, constructing all the ancillary facilities and creating the circuit as a major piece of Welsh infrastructure and, finally, maximising the potential for Blaenau Gwent and for the whole of south east Wales.
“I will be working hard with the construction teams, the developers, the Welsh Government, the council and others to ensure that this is a world-class facility which brings real benefits to the people and communities of Blaenau Gwent.”
1 Comment