Welsh race track gets green light

Preparatory work is due to start this month on the £ 315M Circuit of Wales racing track near Ebbw Vale.

The project will see 830 acres of land in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales transformed into an international motorsport circuit, technology park and training facility.

The main race track will be 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.

Scheme promoter, the Heads of the Valley Development Company, received final planning in November and is aiming to start construction proper by March.

Steel construction is expected to play an integral role in the building of the circuit’s main grandstand and other facilities, as well as the structure’s at the 92,000m² technology park.

Heads of the Valleys Development Company said the project will create around 6,000 full time jobs and attract 750,000 visitors a year.

Jobs will be in sectors including track stewarding, security, catering, retail, hotels, B&Bs and restaurants.

During the construction period around 3,000 jobs will be supported. It is projected that it will provide a £50M injection into the Welsh economy annually.

Backers hope to have the track completed for the circuit to stage the British MotoGP in 2017, before the entire development is completed in 2020.