LATE last year councillors from Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Powys met to discuss the opportunities that the proposed Circuit of Wales development could bring to the area as a whole.

Torfaen Council in collaboration with Blaenau Gwent Council invited councillors and key officers from across the region to the World Heritage Centre in Blaenavon for a first joint seminar where Circuit of Wales CEO, Michael Carrick outlined his vision for a new automotive industry hub in South Wales.

The work for the track is due to start early this year and the seminar was set up to highlight the scale and potential impact of the Circuit of Wales development. It also outlined the opportunities that will exist across the region from the most significant investment in British Motorsport for over 50 years.

Opening the seminar, Cllr Bob Wellington, Leader of Torfaen council said, "The Circuit of Wales will be a world class destination for international motorsport. On top of the massive investment in the racetrack, infrastructure and surrounding business and leisure facilities it could 'lift and drop' an entirely new motorsport hub into South Wales.

"This project is truly transformational and has the potential to change lives through new jobs, apprenticeships, training and education for local people. That is why I'm so enthusiastic to see the Circuit of Wales development come to fruition, it will give our residents fresh hope, raise aspirations and provide new ambition to generations of local people."

Outlining his vision of how the Circuit of Wales will deliver more than just a racetrack, Michael Carrick said, "The Circuit of Wales will be a major addition to the UK's portfolio of leading motorsports facilities. The development will create a world-class automotive cluster, centered around a state-of-the-art performance circuit designed to the highest technical safety standards and certified by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) and FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) to host international motor sport events such as MotoGP, World Superbikes, World Motocross and World Touring Car championships."

Motorsport is worth £6 billion to the UK economy, and this track is envisaged to implant an entirely new motorsport industry hub into South Wales with the potential to drive change and transform lives in the area through jobs, apprenticeships, training and education for local people.

The Circuit of Wales will transform 830 acres of Blaenau Gwent and shine a global media spotlight on the region. It is estimated over 750,000 people will visit the Circuit of Wales each year providing a massive boost to regional tourism with top motorsport series such as MotoGP screened to over 300 million people worldwide.

Cllr Hedley McCarthy, Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said, "This innovative scheme is attracting international interest as it gathers momentum. It will create around 3,000 construction jobs initially with a commitment to ensure many of these go to local people. Beyond the highly skilled automotive engineering, research and development opportunities it will also provide approximately 4,000 - 6,000 new full-time jobs in sectors including track stewarding, security, catering, retail, tourism and hospitality."

Following the presentation, Michael Carrick answered questions on developing skills and training in partnership with local education providers, employment opportunities, and the long term economic, operational and environmental sustainability of the project.

For more information on the future of the development visit circuitofwales.com.