Neath Port Talbot Council is to invest £67.7m into a raft of improvement measures including flood prevention, school upgrades, bridge strengthening, road resurfacing and other capital spending projects.
Capital spending invests in long-term assets like building new schools or improving existing buildings and in constructing or updating infrastructure like footpaths, roads and bridges.
The majority of funding for capital projects comes from external sources including the Welsh Government but the council has been extremely successful in attracting funding from other sources.
These include the UK-wide Levelling Up Fund (LUF) which aims to improve everyday life in the UK.
The Capital Strategy and spending programme from 2025/26 to 2027/28 includes (amongst many others):
• £100,000 for improvement work on Neath’s Milland Road footbridge.
• £294,000 for strengthening the Vale of Neath Bridge.
• £100,000 on improving pavilions in our parks and gardens.
• £1.4m on the continuing upgrade of facilities at Gnoll Estate Country Park
• £1.7m on general highways and engineering works.
• £3m on disabled facilities grants to help disabled people in to remain in their own homes.
• £75,000 on Neath Abbey Visitor parking facilities.
• £2.1m on maintenance at Neath Port Talbot’s schools.
• £350,000 on work at Llangatwg Comprehensive School.
• £6m earmarked for YGG Rhosafan (currently at pre-planning consultation stage).
• £100,000 towards the cinema at Pontardawe Arts Centre
Also, this year, £5m will be allocated to a new Neighbourhood Improvement Programme to deliver small scale capital projects across Neath Port Talbot (no project costing more than £100,000. Also, the multi-million pound redevelopment of Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre and civic square will get under way, funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: “The council places great emphasis on capital investment as a means of regenerating our communities and providing modern and safe buildings and infrastructure.
“Capital investment does not only lead to improved facilities and infrastructure but also creates jobs and economic benefits for people and businesses throughout Neath Port Talbot’s towns, valleys and villages.
Other capital investment comes delivers the Swansea Bay City Deal with Neath Port Talbot leading on the wide ranging Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth Programme and the green technology programme Homes as Power Stations (HAPS). These are two of the eight projects that make up the City Deal programme.
