GWENT council leaders are urging the First Minister to meet with them about progress on Ebbw Vale’s £315 million Circuit of Wales racetrack project.

All five of the region's council leaders have signed a letter, in which they said they want to hold a meeting with Carwyn Jones and other Welsh Government staff involved in it. Another five Welsh council leaders also backed the proposal.

The letter reads: “As county council leaders we are writing to ask for an urgent meeting with you and colleagues in Welsh Government to explore what is now required to deliver the Circuit of Wales.

“We are aware that the project is entering a crucial stage and that we are close to the point at which construction could start, provided that a number of issues are resolved.

“All of us want this project to succeed not just for south east Wales but for the whole of Wales, to show the sort of innovative project that we are all capable of delivering, bringing a transformation in infrastructure, jobs, investment and international profile.”

Blaenau Gwent’s Cllr Hedley McCarthy, Monmouthshire’s Cllr Peter Fox, Torfaen’s Cllr Bob Wellington, Newport’s Cllr Bob Bright and Caerphilly’s Cllr Keith Reynolds all backed the plan. Other council leaders from Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Vale of Glamorgan and Powys also signed it.

The letter continues: “This project deserves our continued support to ensure that it brings all the benefits that such a prominent racing circuit can deliver, and that we capitalise on what this development will mean for the wider area.

“It is important that we have a meeting with you as quickly as possible to ensure that we all understand what is still needed, on our part and yours, to bring this exciting development to Wales.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The First Minister has received a letter from the leaders and will respond to them directly. However, as a common land application was made under section 16 of the Commons Act 2006 in connection with the Circuit of Wales development, it would be inappropriate for us to comment until a decision on this application has been made.”

It is hoped the final decision on the project will be given by October, along with a report and recommendations. A 10-day planning inquiry into the circuit was held in Ebbw Vale in March.

The track would cover 830 acres and lie next to the Rassau Industrial Estate.