As many regular readers of this column will remember, I was very keen to ensure that work on the Barry Island fairground was able to go ahead last summer. The reason is now plain to see. The crowds are flocking once more to Barry Island, the beach is heaving and for local businesses, trade is booming. The Vale’s chief town is restored as South Wales’ iconic seaside location.
Henry Danter, the fairground operator, and all those who are working so hard to turn that recently derelict site into a powerful tourist draw deserve huge credit. As do the Barry Island traders, who didn’t desert the Island in less profitable downturn years and have invested and updated their businesses into real assets for the town; creating jobs and boosting our local economy.
Coachloads of people, more than have arrived on the Island for decades, are turning up on the weekends. The word has got out across the country that the fairground is back, and so is Barry Island. And with Mr Danter aiming to invest £20 million as he rebuilds the attraction, we have solid grounds to believe that this engine of Barry’s renewed tourism success will only become more powerful.
There is however, far more to do on the Island to ensure that it reaches its full potential and brings the town, triumphant, to the glory of its heyday.
Firstly, we need to take advantage of the economic conditions created by the UK Government’s long-term economic plan and secure substantial private investment. I want to work with all key stakeholders to ensure that the Nell’s Point site is used for a high-quality, year-round, visitor-pulling location. The site, currently a car-park, has some of the best views in the UK and thus enormous potential.
Secondly, but by no means less important, is transport infrastructure. The development of the Nell’s Point site shouldn’t mean a reduction in parking spaces. The car remains the most important mode of visitor transport. There is scope for those spaces to be replaced elsewhere on the Island – I have suggested adding an additional story in the style of the Mermaid Quay car park in Cardiff Bay. Whatever local people and businesses decide is the correct way to replace the parking spaces, plans must get underway around the same time as the Nell’s Point car park is closed to minimise the potential for parking chaos.
On the subject of road infrastructure, the Island still awaits the completion of the link road to the Waterfront. This road, which the Council and the Welsh Government told us would be ready for the last summer season, is now nearly finished in time for this summer. The importance of this link can’t be over-stated. It is necessary not only to ensure that visitors are not put off by the prospect of queening on or off the Island, but also to ensure that successful summer months do not become a nightmare for Island residents.
In terms of rail, the number of services to the Island terminating at Barry station is far too high. 437 journeys were cancelled en-route to the Island last year to reduce delays along the line. I am taking this issue forward to Arriva and Network rail in the hope of ending the reality of a taxi-journey or long walk for as many commuters and visitors as possible.
The Barry festival of transport takes place this weekend. Roads, reliable rail services and parking spaces may not be as interesting as heritage omnibuses or the Red Arrows but should be at the forefront of decision-makers minds going forward.
To paraphrase a great man, this isn’t the end of Barry Island’s regeneration, not even the beginning of the end, but it is the end of the beginning. It’s time to secure private investment and proper transport links to ensure that success is wholly grasped.