ST ATHAN WINS MASSIVE CONTRACT FOR WALES

4.25.43pm GMT Wed 17th Jan 2007

Jenny Randerson, Assembly Member for Cardiff Central has welcomed the news that St Athan is to be home to a defence training academy for the armed forces bringing thousands of new jobs to South Wales.

St Athan was confirmed in the UK Parliament this afternoon as the site for a new defence training academy, creating 5,000 jobs and £58m annually to the local economy.

Jenny commented "I was pleased to give evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee on the matter and even more pleased that Metrix has now won this bid.

"This is excellent news for the South Wales and Cardiff economies. There is work still to be done but this will have a substantial impact: providing high skill jobs in the medium term and thousands of construction jobs in the short term.

"The challenge is for Cardiff to prepare for the impact this will have on its schools, colleges and universities. We must have the infrastructure in place to meet the transport, education and health needs of this new academy. The announcement may even provide the impetus for a more regular rail service to Cardiff International Airport.

"It is hard to underestimate the economic impact this successful St Athan bid will have. It is a huge investment in Wales. My congratulations go to all those who have worked on the bid, who have been vigorously promoting the advantages of a South Wales location and the useful experience of the Welsh workforce."

Notes:

Metrix has won 'Preferred Bidder' status with its bid that uses St Athan as its site for a Military Training Academy.

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Contact/cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood - 029 2089 8324

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