Steps Being Taken To Improve Infrastructure
Welsh Assembly has been suggested as a possible stepping stone to improving Welsh infrastructure. With the latest investment announcements from Cardiff, it looks like the Welsh Assembly is looking into devising a strategy on how to increase connectivity within Wales. This would involve building new infrastructures, connecting major transport arteries such as the Wales News Programme rail link, transposing the existing bus service to the new rail system and providing for better intercity transport links to major cities. In the past, the Welsh Assembly had focused primarily on devising vocational education programmes to train people for specific skills. There have been no proposals made as of yet to develop more comprehensive training programs in Wales. However, if you need to look at a possible strategy regarding Welsh infrastructure, you can begin by looking at some of the challenges and opportunities that are faced by the Welsh capital.
What Challenges Are They Facing?
The major challenge facing the Welsh Assembly as it considers how to improve Welsh infrastructure is the lack of a comprehensive plan to electrify the entire Welsh economy. Inevitably, electrification is seen as one of the most important steps towards reviving ailing economy. If Wales is to regain its international reputation as a premier location for electrical engineering, then it will be necessary to invest in improving the overall infrastructure of the Welsh economy.
One way to achieve this is through the procurement of new industrial equipment. As the UK’s most electrified city, Manchester has a major industrial presence, so much so that it is often considered the largest city in the whole of the UK. If you take a look at the maps of Wales, you will find Manchester and its booming economic activity compared to its less populated neighbour, Llandudno. In many ways, Llandudno has been hit harder than Manchester by the downturn, but the former is still ahead when it comes to growth in terms of population and employment levels.
The Welsh government has recently announced a number of measures aimed at ensuring that the Welsh economy enjoys rapid growth in the coming years. A Welsh Assembly election has shown that political parties are more worried about their future prospects in the south Wales valleys than in the capital Cardiff. This may well be the year when the first Welsh Assembly election takes place. Inevitably, there will be an election on the way in the event of an ongoing rift between the Liberals and the Conservatives in the Welsh Government. If there was to be an election prior to the current one, it is possible that the governing party would lose its overall majority. So, the Assembly may have to deal with the independents in the House of Wales.
How Has This Process Been Progressed?
Improving Welsh infrastructure has become a priority for the Welsh Assembly in the run up to next year’s elections. The Welsh government has already earmarked a series of transport improvements including a Cross Country rail link, which is expected to relieve extremely long journey times between Manchester and Cardiff. Along with this, they have also confirmed that they will be looking into building a new bypass for motorists travelling from the M8 into Wales. As a result, more people living in the west of Wales will be able to access the rest of the UK easily, cutting down on both journey times and fuel costs.
Improvements to the Wales airports will also help to encourage more inward migration. The major airports in Cardiff are the Welsh airport of Prestwick and Llanberis-Gwynedd. However, the most important airport in Wales is Cardiff. There are many reasons why people migrate to Cardiff but one key reason is the excellent transport links available to them. With the introduction of the new rail link, the travel time between all the major Welsh airports is expected to be cut by at least 40 minutes.
