Supercharging the local economy and improving opportunities in Cardiff East are the key aims of a new economic strategy for the area which has been released by Cardiff Council.

The new Cardiff East Industrial Strategy sets out a plan which will help regenerate an area of the city that has missed out on major investment.

Among the key issues it addresses are:

• Public transport infrastructure
• Regeneration
• Connectivity
• Developing new ‘green' industries

Figures show that those living in communities in Cardiff East are over four times more likely to live in one of Wales's most deprived areas compared with the national average. Levels of unemployment are a third higher than the rest of the city and the transport infrastructure is currently inadequate.

Cllr Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development at Cardiff Council said: "It is clear that historically there has been under investment in the east of the city. The new East Cardiff strategy intends to change this trend by setting out a vision to provide new jobs in the area and to improve the chances for local residents to access employment.

"The completion of the Eastern Bay Link Road is long over-due, and the Council is very supportive of the proposals for the new Cardiff Parkway station and development. The Cardiff Bay station is currently the most easterly station in Cardiff, and that can't be right. Cardiff Parkway will be a game changer and could pave the way for a series of new stations on the old freight lines.

"It is anticipated that a planning application for Cardiff Parkway will be submitted in spring 2020, with the construction expected to be completed and the station operational by 2023. The broader development of the business park will then be completed over a 10-year period.

"We also want to improve connections for people in the east to the rest of the city and beyond so they have a better chance of accessing jobs. In the next few months the Council will announce detailed plans for a new bridge over the river to improve bus connections linking Llanrumney to the park & ride facility on the A48. This could significantly reduce journey times to the city centre and improve access to key infrastructure in the city, such as the hospital.

The new strategy focuses on three key areas.

1. Developing new business opportunities
2. Improving local transport
3. Enhancing infrastructure and supporting environmental enhancements

Cllr Goodway continued:

"Business development outside the new proposed business park is also critical to the success of this strategy and we will be looking at options to support existing businesses, as well as a longer-term vision to develop land around Lamby Way, as well as land to the south of Wentloog Avenue, Pengam Moor and Trowbridge Mawr.

"In this strategy, we are establishing clear policy in support of ‘green' energy initiatives. Given the existing industrial legacy of the area, energy proposals that cannot demonstrate strong green credentials will not be supported by the Council. In my mind,although this is not a matter which the Council will be able to decide, I feel sure that this rules out any form of council support for the waste incinerator which is being proposed at Newlands Road near Wentloog Corporate Park in Trowbridge."

A new working group will be set up to steer the new strategy. This working group will report to a Cabinet Sub-Committee responsible for developing a delivery strategy which considers land assembly and acquisitions, phased delivery, funding opportunities and da business case for private-sector investment. Further consultation and stakeholder engagement will take place with local members on each individual project before determining detailed plans.

The Cardiff East Industrial Strategy was debated by the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, October 3, prior to a Cabinet decision which is expected a week later on Thursday, October 10.