A FINANCE expert has called on the Welsh Government to support the idea of a “mid Wales powerhouse” area by investing in infrastructure projects such as the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway line (a section at Llanfarian pictured, above).

Chris Parry, senior lecturer in accounting and finance at Cardiff Metropolitan University, made the calls after figures showed a slower growth for the UK than expected, with Cardiff the only part of Wales showing growth above the UK average.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Mr Parry (right) argued that the UK government’s push to redistribute wealth away from London and the south-east through the proposed “northern powerhouse” idea, is something which should be emulated in Wales.

He said: “The Westminster government is trying to move business out of London, which necessitates positive action on infrastructure — such as HS2 (High-Speed 2 railway line), BBC offices and financial bodies such as the Bank of England — to rebalance the wealth.

“This isn’t going to happen in Wales unless the Welsh Government does something to spread the benefit; it won’t happen on its own."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are actually delivering real results for the Mid Wales economy, through new infrastructure and support for businesses in the region, not just talking about it from afar.

“We have created the Powys and Teifi Valley Local Growth Zones to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

“Since 2008, we have helped set-up more than 1,294 new businesses and create almost 2,500 jobs in Ceredigion and Powys."