Circuit of Wales

For the judicial circuit, see Wales Circuit.
Circuit of Wales
LocationEbbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, Wales
Time zoneGMT
Coordinates51°48′17″N 3°14′35″W / 51.80473°N 3.24319°W / 51.80473; -3.24319
Major eventsBritish motorcycle Grand Prix (proposed)
Full Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.50 miles (5.63 km)
Turns21

Circuit of Wales (Welsh: Cylchffordd Cymru) is a failed motor racing circuit and technology park development proposal in Blaenau Gwent on the outskirts of Ebbw Vale, Wales, adjacent to the Neath to Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465).[1] The intention was that it would be funded by private investors and backed by the Welsh Government. In April 2016, BBC News reported that The Heads of the Valleys Development Company,[2] would continue to negotiate with both the financial backers, Aviva, and the Welsh Government.[3]

The circuit was designed to FIA and FIM standards with the aim of hosting events such as the MotoGP, Superbike World Championship, Motocross World Championship, British GT Championship, British Touring Car Championship and the World Touring Car Championship.[4][5]

Ken Skates, AM and Economy Secretary, issued a statement on 29 March 2017 that detailed reports had been requested and the decision concerning £425M public funding would be available by mid-May.[6] In June 2017, a proposed taxpayer-funded guarantee of £210million was rejected by the Welsh Government on the grounds that the financial risk was too great. The original planned opening had been 2016. In September 2018, an application to renew the expired planning consent was submitted to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.[7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wales Online Planning was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Companies House (UK Government website) Retrieved 26 August 2017
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBC35981794 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Circuit of Wales gets go ahead". Top Gear. 2013-07-10. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  5. ^ "Welcome to the Circuit of Wales". Circuit of Wales. 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  6. ^ Circuit of Wales: Motor track decision expected mid-May, BBC News, Wales Politics on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2017
  7. ^ "Door left open for development on Ebbw Vale Circuit of Wales site". South Wales Argus. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2020.