Cardiff Deputy Mayor (Environment), Christine Priday's Jan. 17 '02 Speech
Cardiff ULTra Test Track Launch

"I am delighted to welcome you to the Test Track site.

Ten years ago the former South Glamorgan County Council outlined its vision for the development of Cardiff: by the year 2020, the City would take its place on the world stage as a superlative European Capital, a capital city delivering success for Wales as Edinburgh delivers for Scotland and Dublin for Ireland.

Little did we think at the time, that in the space of just one decade Cardiff would be hosting the European Summit, welcoming world leaders and the world's media to the City.

Who would have believed us if we had said that we would have the finest Sports Stadium in the world in which to successfully host the Rugby World Cup 1999?

The Millennium Stadium now plays host to major events such as the FA Cup Final, the Worthington Cup Final, and the Charity Shield.

The Network Q Rally has relocated to the Welsh Capital and is keen to stay for a further three years.

The completion of the Cardiff Bay Barrage and realisation of a 200-hectare freshwater lake has ensured that we can truly claim the title Europe's most exciting waterfront development.

Cardiff is now bidding to become European Capital of Culture in 2008, and exciting plans are also being developed to build one of the largest sport complexes in Western Europe - the International Sports Village.

The Welsh Capital is coming of age and to maximise our opportunities - we need an integrated transport system worthy of a modern and dynamic European Capital of the 21st Century.

As many of you here today will recall, some 18 months ago, the Lord Mayor launched the Local Transport Plan for Cardiff which sets out the City's vision for Transport up to 2016.

Within the framework of that vision, there is undoubted scope for innovation. Innovation is one of the hallmarks of modern, successful cities and their ability to adapt to a world which is changing at break neck speed.

Successful cities innovate and position themselves at the forefront of developments in technology and knowledge. That's why we're actively exploring how our transportation system might take advantage of some of the brightest ideas that the world's transport community has to offer.

The County Council, in partnership with the Advanced Transport Systems Ltd team, is considering the development of an Urban Light Transport System or ULTra - which we believe could help redefine what public transport means.

Today is therefore a key milestone in a staged process to integrate ULTra with a balanced private and public transport system for Cardiff.

Construction work is now completed on the test track that will put ULTra's mechanical and electronic systems through their paces. The track, developed under a £2.7m DETR grant, provides a circuit of just under 1km allowing Advanced Transport's engineering staff to develop and test the vehicles, including power pick up signalling and control in real environmental conditions (rain and shine).

The track includes loops and ramps as well as a station, simulating the grade and other factors of a full scale installed system. Ultimately, this testing will form part of the safety inspectorate's approval process before the first system opens to passengers.

The people of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, would be the first to benefit from ULTra if the Council's bid for Transport Grant to the National Assembly for Wales is successful. The first installation could link Cardiff Bay railway station to the prestigious waterfront development, the National Assembly Building/County Hall and then to the city centre. A second phase would link the City Centre to Cathays Park and the Sports Village.

Cardiff is particularly well suited to the ULTra system because it is an example of a city where regeneration has totally changed the transport requirements - the docks, a former industrial zone, is now an acclaimed business, tourism and residential centre, but links with the City Centre need to be strengthened.

The predominance of private car trips is causing congestion levels that will inevitably worsen and a radical solution needs to be found. Cardiff County Council aims to have 50% of all passenger trips being delivered by public transport in the medium term.

It is hoped that the initial phase can commence in the 2002/2003 financial year, but this is clearly dependent on financial support from the National Assembly for Wales.

I'd like to reiterate this point - the Assembly does have a vested interest in funding the project and has contributed already with approval for funding studies. If further funding could be achieved, it is hoped to have vehicles operating during 2004/2005.

I can tell you that the County Council is also exploring ways to lever into the City, through partnerships, other sources of public and private finance so that we can deliver this innovative transport system to Cardiff at the earliest opportunity.

Now, I'm sure you'll all want to find out more about ULTra. We have several elements displayed today, including a short video. If you could turn around you will see that we have a fully operational ULTra prototype operating on the test track.

So please enjoy the demonstration, and I'm sure you'll be keen to ask questions later of the ATS team and the relevant Council Officers who are distinguishable by their name tags.

Thank You"