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Valleys tourism gets cash boost Valleys tourism gets cash boost
(40 minutes later)
The drive to bring more tourists to the Welsh valleys is being boosted by £9m in European funding.The drive to bring more tourists to the Welsh valleys is being boosted by £9m in European funding.
The money will be pumped into schemes announced earlier this year in five local authorities.The money will be pumped into schemes announced earlier this year in five local authorities.
It will also see cash used to extend sections of the Valleys Cycle Network by 25 miles.It will also see cash used to extend sections of the Valleys Cycle Network by 25 miles.
The announcement by the assembly government comes as it unveiled a Valleys tourism programme tied to the 2010 Ryder Cup in Newport. The announcement by the assembly government comes as it unveiled a valleys tourism programme tied to the 2010 Ryder Cup in Newport.
The announcement of the successful bid for money from the EU Convergence Fund was made by the deputy minister for regeneration, Leighton Andrews.The announcement of the successful bid for money from the EU Convergence Fund was made by the deputy minister for regeneration, Leighton Andrews.
He said the investment would build on a £5m investment programme made earlier this year for visitor attractions around the region.He said the investment would build on a £5m investment programme made earlier this year for visitor attractions around the region.
Winners Valleys Cycle Network The General Offices, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent Bedwellty House and Park, Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent Former Markham Colliery, CaerphillyCyfarthfa Park, Merthyr TydfilDare Valley Country Park, Rhondda Cynon TaffPontypool and Blaenavon Railway, TorfaenWinners Valleys Cycle Network The General Offices, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent Bedwellty House and Park, Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent Former Markham Colliery, CaerphillyCyfarthfa Park, Merthyr TydfilDare Valley Country Park, Rhondda Cynon TaffPontypool and Blaenavon Railway, Torfaen
"We have already seem considerable investment in the tourism product, and a raft of exciting plans to develop and enhance visitor attractions are now underway," said Mr Andrews. "We have already seen considerable investment in the tourism product, and a raft of exciting plans to develop and enhance visitor attractions are now underway," said Mr Andrews.
"These, together with a number of other projects we are supporting, will make the region far more attractive to day visitors and will help chance perceptions.""These, together with a number of other projects we are supporting, will make the region far more attractive to day visitors and will help chance perceptions."
In addition to funding the cycle network around the Heads of the Valleys, part of the money will go towards the £6m project to renovate the General Offices at the former Ebbw Vale steelworks.In addition to funding the cycle network around the Heads of the Valleys, part of the money will go towards the £6m project to renovate the General Offices at the former Ebbw Vale steelworks.
It is due to be opened in two years as an interactive family history and genealogy centre.It is due to be opened in two years as an interactive family history and genealogy centre.
The assembly government said that over the next three years, tourism investment in the region will top £23m.The assembly government said that over the next three years, tourism investment in the region will top £23m.
It is hoped the projects will create an estimated 400 jobs, and attract an additional 355,000 visitors a year.It is hoped the projects will create an estimated 400 jobs, and attract an additional 355,000 visitors a year.
'Homecoming''Homecoming'
The new European money will also help support other projects in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen. The new European money will also help support other projects in Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Torfaen.
Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones added: "I'm delighted that this funding will help to build a tourism infrastructure in the Heads of the Valleys area which will open up the area's cultural and industrial heritage for all to appreciate."Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones added: "I'm delighted that this funding will help to build a tourism infrastructure in the Heads of the Valleys area which will open up the area's cultural and industrial heritage for all to appreciate."
The theme is built on by the Heads of the Valleys Homecoming initiative which is also being launched on Thursday.The theme is built on by the Heads of the Valleys Homecoming initiative which is also being launched on Thursday.
It hopes to capitalise on the worldwide interest in the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales by persuading people to trace their Welsh roots.It hopes to capitalise on the worldwide interest in the 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales by persuading people to trace their Welsh roots.
"2010 will be the year when we invite people to find themselves in the Valleys - to find families, to find their family history, to come back and visit," added Mr Andrews. "2010 will be the year when we invite people to find themselves in the valleys - to find families, to find their family history, to come back and visit," added Mr Andrews.