Shadow Minister for Economy, Business, and Infrastructure Russell George MS has welcomed news that St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan is the preferred UK site for the building of a battery “gigafactory” for electric vehicles.
The company, Britishvolt, says the 123-acre building and facility will lead to £1.2 billion in investment and create up to 4,000 jobs.
Mr George said:
“We know that the economy is taking a hit because of Coronavirus, and is likely to for some time.
“There is therefore the need for some cautious boldness, some entrepreneurial optimism to get the Welsh economy going, and being involved in a project with Britishvolt could really help to unleash Wales’ potential.
“Wales has experience in the automotive and tech sectors, including Ineos, Airbus, JCB, General Electric, General Dynamics, Aston Martin – which is also at St Athan – and many others, and even though some of these have too taken a hit, the skilled and adaptable workforce, and supply chains, are here.
“So too are the transport links by sea, but there is the dire need to improve some of the road and rail links, such as the M4 relief road and the dualling of the A55.
"Were Britishvolt to build its plant here, then these vital infrastructure projects must be given reconsideration to allow a much-needed boost to the economy. With them, components can get to the plant easily and the finished goods can be efficiently moved from it.
"Even if Wales were not chosen, existing businesses and the economy will still benefit from the road projects as we Welsh Conservatives have long called for."