Circuit of Wales facts for kids
| Location | Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT |
| Coordinates | 51°48′17″N 3°14′35″W / 51.80473°N 3.24319°W |
| Full Course | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.50 mi (5.63 km) |
| Turns | 21 |
The Circuit of Wales (Welsh: Cylchffordd Cymru) was a big idea for a new motor racing track and technology park. It was planned for Blaenau Gwent, near Ebbw Vale in Wales. The goal was to build a top-class circuit that could host major racing events.
The project aimed to attract private investors for funding. It also hoped to get support from the Welsh Government. The circuit was designed to meet high standards set by racing groups like FIA and FIM. This would allow it to host famous races such as MotoGP and the Superbike World Championship.
However, the project faced many challenges. The Welsh Government eventually decided not to provide a large financial guarantee. This was because they felt the financial risk was too high. The circuit was originally planned to open in 2016.
Contents
Project History
Early Plans and Approvals
The idea for the Circuit of Wales was first shared in late 2011. After submitting its plans, the project received approval in July 2013. This meant they could start developing the site.
However, some groups were against the project. These included environmental organizations like the Gwent Wildlife Trust. They were worried about the impact on nature. The Welsh Government also paused the plans briefly to review them.
Funding Challenges
In 2014, the developers asked the Welsh and UK governments for money. They hoped to get up to £50 million for the project. The developers believed the circuit could create around 6,000 jobs. But environmental concerns remained a big issue.
A politician named Alun Davies got into trouble in July 2014. He was found to have tried to influence a government body in favor of the racetrack. He lost his job the following week.
In November 2014, there were also questions about whether the Welsh Government had unfairly interfered with the planning process. In November 2015, the Welsh government gave final approval to use the common land where the circuit would be built.
Government Rejection and Future Plans
In April 2016, the Welsh Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, confirmed a big problem. The Welsh Government could not provide the full financial guarantee needed for the circuit. An insurance company, Aviva, also couldn't guarantee a large part of the funding.
Hart explained that the project seemed too risky for the government to support fully. She said it was an "unacceptable risk" to use taxpayer money for the entire project. So, the government decided not to go ahead with the guarantee.
In June 2017, the Welsh Government officially rejected a proposed £210 million taxpayer guarantee. They said the financial risk was still too great. Instead, ministers announced that £100 million would be spent on an automotive business park nearby. This park would focus on car-related businesses.
Despite these setbacks, the developers said they wanted to continue with the project. They aimed to understand why it wasn't supported and try to fix those issues. In September 2018, they submitted a new application to renew their planning permission.
