Funding announced for Port Talbot regeneration project

The government has announced £8.2 million of funding for a regeneration project in Port Talbot, South Wales.

At the latest meeting of the Tata Steel Port Talbot Transition Board, Welsh secretary Jo Stevens announced £8.2 million for the South Wales Industrial Transition from Carbon Hub (SWITCH) supporting more than 100 jobs.

SWITCH will redevelop a four-acre site at Harbourside, Port Talbot which will include the construction of additional shared space, undertake flood mitigation and the provision of specialist equipment.

The funding will help to establish an Innovation District in Port Talbot, which will allow the development of a new facility targeted at supporting the steel and metal industry and supply chain to reduce carbon emissions in production. It is hoped the facility will create and support more than 100 jobs and benefit the South Wales economy by £87 million.

The investment comes from the UK Government’s £80m Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board fund.

There will also be work to develop wellbeing and mental health interventions. This work will prioritise the provision of mental health support, help build community cohesion, support the delivery of wellbeing initiatives and peer support within the local community including that currently delivered via local community and other support groups.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: "We said we would back the community of Port Talbot through Tata Steel’s transition and we continue to do exactly that.

"In just six months there has now been over £50 million announced by the Transition Board to support individual steelworkers and their families, businesses in the supply chain and now on a major regeneration project for the town.

"Millions more will follow and while this remains a very difficult time for Tata workers, their families and the community, we are determined to support our steel communities whatever happens."

Cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning Rebecca Evans said: "This announcement builds on the investment that will be unlocked through the recent Celtic Freeport and other investments and innovation we are supporting in and around Port Talbot.

"Working alongside our Transition Bard partners, we will continue to do everything we can to provide opportunities for growth wherever they arise as well as making sure that the right assistance and support is in place for those impacted by the Tata changes."