‘Major Investment’ Proposed For Coleg Cambria In Wrexham

A multimillion pound investment looks set to substantially improve facilities at a Wrexham college campus.

Wrexham’s Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths visited the Bersham Road site this week to discuss the ambitious plans with Coleg Cambria’s Principal and Chief Executive, David Jones, and Estates Capital Projects Manager, Graham Evans.

With proposals currently going through the planning process, the total investment is expected to cost in the region of £10m. The Welsh Government has agreed a deal ‘in principle’ with the college that will see it provide a significant proportion of the funding.

The Bersham Road campus mainly focuses on providing vocational subjects, including joinery, engineering, plastering and plumbing. Their investment is expected to increase capacity, as well as the number of courses available on the site.

Under the proposals, significant development is expected to take place including the demolition of smaller, detached buildings to create four core buildings. Three existing buildings will be completely revamped and refurbished and a brand new state-of-the-art teaching facility will be constructed. The current site has become fragmented and the new development will tidy the entire area, substantially improving parking facilities in the process.

Coleg Cambria’s plans for Wrexham do not stop there. Once the Bersham Road site redevelopment is underway, the college also plans to invest significantly in its Yale campus.

Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths praised the developments and said: “Coleg Cambria’s major investment at the Bersham Road campus, which is also supported by the Welsh Government, will substantially improve the site and benefit hundreds of young people across Wrexham.”

“The college is a key institution in the town and once the new development is completed, I am certain it will result in the educational facilities being amongst the best in the country.”

Coleg Cambria Principal David Jones said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Lesley Griffiths AM to our Bersham Road Centre to discuss our exciting and ambitious plans to re-develop the site. This will begin this summer to be completed for 17/18 to provide world class further and higher level courses for Engineering, Construction, wider science and technology businesses in Wrexham and beyond.

“At this exciting time for the area we are looking forward to working with Welsh Government & other stakeholders to ensure that this major investment will give Cambria further and enhanced opportunities to provide training at the highest quality level for the workforce, young people and the communities of the area.”