Tag Archives: South East Wales

Connectivity, Transport, Travel

Final call to shape the future of transport in South East Wales – consultation closes May 19

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) is issuing a final call for residents, businesses and stakeholders to help shape the future of transport in South East Wales, as the public consultation on its draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP) enters its final weeks. The consultation will close on May 19, 2025.

Since launching in March, the consultation has invited people across the Region – from Monmouthshire to Bridgend, the Valleys to the coast – to share their views on the draft Plan, which sets out a long-term vision for a more efficient, sustainable and inclusive transport network.

The draft RTP sets out Cardiff Capital Region’s goal to build a Competitive, Connected, and Resilient Region, underpinned by an affordable, low-carbon transport system that improves quality of life, reduces emissions and supports economic opportunity.

The Plan includes objectives for better access to jobs and services, cleaner air, improved safety, stronger links between communities, and better transport connections between South East Wales, the rest of the UK and beyond.

Residents, community groups, businesses and organisations are encouraged to review the draft Plan and have their say by visiting: https://regionaltransportplanccr.wales/.  Responses from the public will help shape the future of transport in the Region.

Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE, Chair of CCR’s Regional Transport Sub-Committee, and Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said:

“We’ve made strong progress through Metro investment and low-emission initiatives, but now we need people across South East Wales to tell us what matters most to them – and time is running out. This is your chance to influence what comes next.”

Business, Transport

Cardiff Capital Region begins public consultation on shaping transport provision in South East Wales

Consultation on the draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP) is open until 19th May, aimed at unlocking opportunities, connecting people and businesses and supporting the creation of jobs in the Region.

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), the regional body made up of the ten Local Authorities in South East Wales, is consulting with the public and wider stakeholders on its draft Regional Transport Plan (RTP). From Monmouthshire to Bridgend, the Valleys to the coast, residents and visitors across CCR are invited to review the Plan, and its vision, objectives and policies.

CCR’s goal is to build a Competitive, Connected, and Resilient Region: the vision for the RTP is to establish an efficient, affordable, low-carbon transport network that enhances quality of life, fosters shared prosperity, and supports a carbon-neutral Region where walking and cycling are favoured for shorter journeys and includes decarbonisation of the transport network.

Now, the public is invited to have its say in consultation by visiting: https://regionaltransportplanccr.wales/.  Responses from the public will help shape the future of transport in the Region.

The consultation asks residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their views through an online survey, webinar and a series of ‘pop-up’ events across the Region.

Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE, Chair of CCR’s Regional Transport Sub-Committee and the Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said:

“CCR has already invested millions in Metro improvements and led the way on low-emission transport.

“But transport isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s about unlocking opportunities, connecting businesses, creating jobs, and making our communities stronger and fairer.

“Our Regional Transport Plan will help us deliver a greener, smarter, and more inclusive transport network that supports economic growth and tackles climate challenge. We need to hear from those who use, or want to use, regional transport, so we encourage people to join in the conversation”.

Business, Business Investment, Business News, Events, South Wales, UK, Wales

Cardiff Capital Region announces return to MIPIM 2025, the world’s leading property investment event

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) officially launched its MIPIM 2025 Partnership Programme today at the Pyramid Suite, Sophia Gardens ahead of the international event in Cannes, France, 11-14 March 2025.

Hosted by CCR’s Chief Executive Kellie Beirne, with special guest Dame Nia Griffith, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Wales Office, the launch brought together private sector guests and public sector partners across the ten local councils that make up the Region.

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Committee, and Cllr Huw Thomas, Deputy Chair, Cardiff Capital Region both spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of attending MIPIM and how it enables the Region to showcase opportunities to investors and property developers from all over the world.

In 2025, CCR will be situated with other UK City Regions at La Croisette on the seafront, an important strategic move that sees the Region partner with other core UK destinations, whilst also retaining its own unique Welsh identity.

Dame Nia Griffith said:

“The UK Government’s key mission is economic growth and Cardiff and the surrounding area have a vital role to play in that mission. That is why we have invested in Cardiff Capital Region.

“Their attendance at this globally renowned exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of what our capital city has to offer to international investors. By working together we will encourage investment into Wales.”

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, said:

“I’m delighted to see South East Wales represented on the international stage of MIPIM once again. Our presence shows we are serious about our ambitions and the critical role that inward investment plays to drive inclusive growth and prosperity, in collaboration with the private sector.”

Cllr Huw Thomas, added:

“Our city is at our best when we work in partnership, and especially so when we are showcasing our businesses on the global stage, and we’re excited to be returning to MIPIM in 2025 to show what Cardiff, and the region, has to offer. On a number of measures, we’re growing faster than other cities across the UK, and we want to make sure that success continues, supporting more and better jobs for our communities across the city and the Cardiff Capital Region.”

 

Considered the world’s leading global real estate event, ‘Marche International des Professionals d’Immobilier’ (MIPIM) attracts more than 20,000 participants each year, including 5,000 investors, 4,800 developers, and 500 journalists.

Business, Events

Cardiff Capital Region at UKREiiF 2024

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) is attending UKREiiF in Leeds from 21 to 23 May to showcase £15 billion of investment opportunities and spotlight the Region as one of 12 Investment Zones selected by UK and Welsh Government last year.

UKREiiF, the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, is a three-day conference that aims to connect people, places and businesses including the key players and decision makers within the public sector, built environment, investment and real estate markets to drive significant sustainable investment.

This year Cardiff Capital Region will be attending as one of the two sponsors of exhibitor Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England. The other sponsor attending is Bristol and Bath. CCR will use Western Gateway’s pavilion as a base for meetings and networking.

Attending the event for CCR is Anthony Hunt, Leader of Torfaen County Borough Council and Chair of CCR’s Committee and he said: “UKREiiF is an excellent opportunity for us to sell our Region’s competitive strengths, ambitious investment and development opportunities to key decision makers, future investors and partners. This annual event is now firmly on the calendar for investment opportunities within the UK and complements our international activities at expos such as MIPIM.”

CCR Chief Executive Kellie Beirne is speaking at several events during UKREiiF and is very positive about CCR’s participation: “Our proposition is strong and compelling with unique offers such as Aberthaw Power Station attracting more interest, I’m confident that our economic potential will continue to grow.”

Find out more about UKREiiF: https://www.ukreiif.com/

Education

Cardiff Capital Region joins forces with local universities and colleges for future collaboration

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Higher and Further Education (HE & FE) institutions from South East Wales, forming a framework for future collaboration based on key objectives for economic wellbeing in the Region.

The agreement is a first of its kind in Wales, with Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, and the University of South Wales (USW) being joined by the Region’s Further Education colleges, including Merthyr Tydfil, Coleg Gwent, Cardiff and Vale College, Coleg Y Cymoedd and Bridgend College.

Given the concentration of academic and research excellence in South East Wales, this will ensure the wider region realises the benefits of cooperative working. Each of the institutions has a significant role to play in embracing the regional growth agenda and ensuring civic commitments to inclusivity and sustainability are at the heart of new and emerging initiatives.

Since 2017 CCR has worked successfully with regional HE & FE on transformative projects, leveraging significant research and innovation funding for the Region. This includes being the only UK Region to land two UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Strength In Places Fund initiatives (CSConnected & Media Cymru) with a combined value of almost £100m.

This further commitment will ensure alignment on regional ambitions and create further opportunities for business engagement, collaborative learning, teaching and R&D, allowing CCR to gather the expertise that these institutions can deliver together.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said:

“I am delighted that Higher and Further Education partners are uniting in their support of our regional ambitions. This builds on CCR’s endeavours to form a coalition of the willing, bringing together the people and organisations who can contribute to our mission for a bigger, greener and fairer region.”

Kellie Beirne, CEO, Cardiff Capital Region, said:

“This partnership demonstrates a significant coming together of educational and research institutions and a newly established regional public body, allowing us to align our efforts to advance our civic missions together. Innovation stands as the cornerstone of our future, and our joint commitment to collaborate and forge a new path provides the best chance of building sustainability and resilience in the face of ongoing change and challenge. By formalising our relationships, we lay the groundwork for regional impact and future sustainable growth and a recognition that together, we can achieve more.”

Investment, Investment News

£50 million investment programme launched to help transform the Northern Valleys of South East Wales

A new investment programme aimed at catalysing economic growth and social impact in the Northern Valleys was unveiled today (11 April 2024). The Northern Valleys Initiative aims to play a long-term levelling-up role in tackling some of the intra-regional disparities that exist within the Cardiff Capital Region.

 

The Initiative, totalling £50m, has been set up by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) and supported by Local Authority Delivery Teams from Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen. This will support businesses and projects that have the ability to increase prosperity in the region.

 

Investments will be focused on businesses that offer high-growth potential and the ability to help transform the regional economy.

 

Operating over a five-year period, the programme will act as a financial catalyst to support businesses that are either based in the Region or that wish to relocate for the long term. Typical grants and investments available for successful applicants will range from (but are not limited to), £100k to £2m.

 

The programme will concentrate on infrastructure, digital connectivity and tourism sectors delivering a wide range of outcomes including jobs, ecological regeneration and decarbonisation.

 

The Northern Valleys Initiative aligns with CCR’s strategic ambitions to:

 

–  tackle economic disparities and boost growth

–  enhance innovation capability and capacity

–  decarbonise our environment by 2050

–  improve our physical and digital infrastructure

 

Cllr Anthony Hunt, Chair of CCR Committee, said:

“Building on previous work in the region, the Northern Valleys Initiative will deliver an exciting opportunity to stimulate both the private and public sector investment required to generate additional jobs, boost prosperity, foster community resilience and help drive the circular economy in six local authority areas: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen”.

 

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

“It’s fantastic news that this fund, backed by the UK Government, is going to help transform businesses in this area.

 

“We are focused on growing the economy of Wales, creating jobs and spreading prosperity, and investments like this are invaluable in making this aim a reality.”

Events, Investment, South Wales

£15 billion of investment opportunities in Cardiff Capital Region showcased at largest property exhibition in the world

INVESTMENT opportunities in Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) worth £15 billion are being showcased at MIPIM – the largest property exhibition in the world.

 

A team from CCR and its ten councils are promoting South East Wales and its investment opportunities at the event in Cannes, France from March 12 to 14.

 

Considered one of the leading global real estate events, ‘Marche International des Professionals d’Immobilier’ (MIPIM) attracts more than 26,000 participants each year, including 5,000 investors, 4,800 developers, and 500 journalists.

 

It has become a prominent event in the property and asset investment world, with representatives coming together for networking, learning, and showcasing the skills and potential of their regions.

 

A number of UK regions and major cities also attend the event at MIPIM, so competition for attracting and securing investment is high.

 

The CCR team is holding a series of events across the week, highlighting its investment opportunities, commitment to sustainable development, and its communities.

 

The £15bn worth of investment opportunities include:

  • Aberthaw Power Station eco-park
  • Bridgend town centre
  • The Northern Gateway initiative
  • Blaenau Gwent Tech Valleys project
  • Cardiff Parkway
  • Caerphilly Hotel and Leisure Park
  • St Modwen Park, Newport

 

 

Further details of the opportunities can be found here:

https://www.ccrmipim.wales/investment-opportunities/

 

Among the team attending MIPIM this week and welcoming guests to the CCR exhibition stand is CCR Ambassador Dan Biggar, former Wales and British Lions rugby player, and now playing for Toulon in the south of France.

 

Kellie Beirne, Chief Executive Officer of CCR, said: “We need to sell our region’s competitive strengths on a global stage, and seek out the investors, backers and markets that like our offer.

 

“With its strategic location, thriving economy, and ambitious development projects, CCR offers investors a compelling opportunity to be part of its growth story.”

 

Kellie said Cardiff Capital Region had demonstrated economic resilience in recent times, with sustained growth across key sectors such as finance, technology and life sciences.

 

Attendees at MIPIM from CCR include local authority leaders Councillor Anthony Hunt (Torfaen County Borough Council), Cllr Geraint Thomas (Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council), and Cllr John Morgan, (Cabinet Member for places and regeneration, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council).

 

Councillor Anthony Hunt, leader of CCR Cabinet which comprises the leaders of the 10 local authority partners of CCR, said: “This week presents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Cardiff Capital Region to a global audience at a renowned industry event.

 

“We look forward to being ambassadors for the Region and we will be working hard to ensure that our attendance will bring tangible benefits for all.

 

“With our universities, research institutions, and tech start-ups, CCR is proving a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

 

“Our developing technology sector, in particular, is attracting attention from investors seeking opportunities in areas such as digital innovation, cybersecurity, and renewable energy.”