Speaking to the WalesOnline website, Blaenau Gwent Assembly Member Alun Davies said: "2016 could be a real game changer in Blaenau Gwent. The Circuit of Wales has all the permissions and consents necessary for work to start. We can't wait to see the diggers getting on site and construction work beginning.
"We have three main challenges ahead as I see it. Firstly, getting the circuit built and establishing it as a major part of the international racing schedule, secondly, constructing all the ancillary facilities and creating the circuit as a major piece of Welsh infrastructure and, finally, maximising the potential for Blaenau Gwent and for the whole of south east Wales. I will be working hard with the construction teams, the developers, the Welsh Government, the council and others to ensure that this is a world-class facility which brings real benefits to the people and communities of Blaenau Gwent."
However, the Circuit still has a number of issues to get over. The plans for a massive race track in south Wales, an area that has many employment and social issues, has been under fire from the start, not least because a large chunk of taxpayer funds were shoved its way, much to the fury of other UK race tracks. There have been doubts raised over whether sufficient crowds can be drawn to the track to make it viable, and it has already missed several deadlines - the track was supposed to be ready for the UK MotoGP round this year, but now will not be ready until at least 2017.
It will be interesting to see if a new facility, in a relatively remote location, can be made a success.
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