30 July 2010
Major funding for a £10.5m scheme to
revitalise Pontypridd town centre in South Wales has been announced
by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Capita Symonds’ Glamorgan partnership is
providing a variety of services including detail design, CDM
coordination, contract advice, NEC project management and site
supervision on the scheme which will create a thriving economic and
attractive hub for visitors and communities across the Rhondda and
Cynon Valley areas.
The Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration Scheme
is being backed with £8m from the Welsh Assembly Government through
the European Regional Development Fund and the Targeted Match Fund,
along with a contribution from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough
Council.
The scheme, which will boost the local
economy, lever investment, safeguard jobs and create employment
opportunities in the retail and business sector will see the
transformation of Taff Street and High Street into an attractive
public realm space. Better pedestrian access and traffic management
measures will also make it easier to get around the town and
increase the number of visitors to the area.
Market Street, Church Street and Mill Street
will also benefit from improvements and funding of up to £100,000
will be available to businesses under the Townscape Enhancement
Scheme to meet up to 70 per cent of the costs of developing and
making improvements to commercial properties and shop fronts.
This scheme will greatly benefit local communities as well as boost residents’ pride in the area and drive forward economic prosperity across the region...
Announcing the funding, the Welsh Assembly
Government’s Minister for Business and Budget, Jane Hutt said:
“This investment demonstrates how we can maximise the impact of
every pound of EU funding and add value to projects through the
Targeted Match Fund to deliver lasting benefits. Together, the
funding will help improve facilities and increase employment
opportunities to build a high quality environment in which people
can live, work and prosper.”
Deputy Minister for Housing &
Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies said: "Enhancing the overall
appearance of Pontypridd will create a better environment for local
people, businesses, visitors and potential investors. This scheme
will greatly benefit local communities as well as boost residents’
pride in the area and drive forward economic prosperity across the
region.”
Councillor Russell Roberts, Leader of Rhondda
Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that our
exciting plans to regenerate Pontypridd, which we have made one of
the Council’s leading objectives, have been supported by the Welsh
Assembly Government and the Welsh European Funding Office. This
substantial investment is an extremely important part of the jigsaw
of transforming the town centre, creating a vastly improved
shopping and visitor experience in Pontypridd, and returning it to
its former status as a leading destination within the South Wales
Valleys.”