Cairns visits City Deal projects that promise a new industrial future
WELSH Secretary Alun Cairns has been visiting projects in Swansea Bay looking to be on the frontline of the City Deal.
Mr Cairns headed to Swansea University Bay Campus, Port Talbot Harbourside, and Baglan Bay Innovation Centre, which are said to be at the heart of a technology revolution.
He heard about the future of steel, along with how digital manufacturing can increase competition and create globally networked systems, at Swansea University’s Bay Campus.
Swansea University is working in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council, Tata and a number of other commercial projects to spearhead the ambition of the Fabian Way innovation corridor and show Swansea Bay residents the regeneration opportunities presented by the City Deal.
They have been grouping world-leading projects together, including the UK National Steel Innovation Centre and the Astute Factory of the Future.
Mr Cairns said: “Swansea University is leading the charge in delivering exciting City Deal projects which will transform the region, delivering high-quality employment and world-leading technologies. The UK government is working hard to encourage the City Deal region to capitalise on its reputation as leaders in the fields of innovation, research and development and energy. With this existing strength, it is crucial that the area is empowered to take the reins and make decisions to support economic growth, boost employment and attract investment right across the region.”
He also visited the Harbourside site in Port Talbot, which aims to boost employment in the research and development field.
The former disused steel and tinplate works in the docks area of Port Talbot is home to the Harbourside Business Park, occupied by TWI, Tata Steel and Thyssen Krupp.
Bosses at Neath Port Talbot College are hoping to develop a £28 million campus on the site in 2019.
Mr Cairns also visited the Baglan Bay Innovation Centre, which focuses on developing businesses in the energy, innovation and technology fields.
It houses Project SPECIFIC, an academic and industrial consortium led by Swansea University with partners Tata Steel, BASF and NSG Pilkington, in developing coatings that will transform the roofs and walls of buildings into surfaces that generate, store and release energy.
Government aid of £800,000 has been awarded to Swansea University’s SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre to forge ahead with Britain’s first energy-positive office.
The minister also cast his eye over the proposed site from the Swansea Bay Technology Centre at Baglan Energy Park, which is aimed at supporting and encouraging the growth of start-ups and indigenous businesses, with a focus on the innovation and research and development sectors.
Mr Cairns said: “The Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas have much to look forward to.
“The Harbourside and Innovation Centre are fantastic examples of investments that will deliver sustainable employment.”