23 February 2011
Pontypridd’s town centre will undergo a complete transformation
after Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council announced that it
has secured a £10.5 million funding package.
The package comprises substantial investment from the Welsh
Assembly Government through the European Regional Development Fund
and Targeted Match Funding, as well as Council and private sector
contributions.
Capita Symonds is providing design, project management, CDM
coordinator, ecology and contract management services on the scheme
which will comprise a complete refurbishment of the public realm
including new paving, high quality street furniture and lighting,
and a number of other attractive features to create an entirely new
and vibrant town centre. Regeneration improvements will stretch the
length of Taff Street, Market Street, High Street, Mill Street and
Church Street.
Paved areas in the town will also be widened, creating a more
desirable town centre which people can use and enjoy. Additionally
key public spaces will be developed which will ensure significant
spaces such as Penuel Square are enhanced and maintained as areas
of focus.
Each section is likely to take up to six months to complete and
every effort will be made to maintain safe access to the shops and
business premises as the work progresses.
The Council’s contractor - Costain – has just begun the first
phase of construction work in Mill Street, an important milestone
in transformation of Pontypridd town centre.
To mark the occasion, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cllr
Russell Roberts joined Pontypridd MP Owen Smith at the commencement
of the work, alongside fellow councillors Paul Cannon, Cabinet
Member for Economic Development & Safer Communities and Andrew
Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care & Emergency
Planning.
...“The physical enhancement of Pontypridd town centre should increase confidence in the town, and the number of visitors. This would not only enhance local pride in Pontypridd, but also attract new businesses and create more job opportunities for local people...
Pontypridd RFC has also thrown its weight behind the
regeneration project which will bring widespread benefits to the
whole of the town. At the launch of the scheme local rugby hero
Dale McIntosh joined special guests to officially “kick off” the
work.
Cllr Roberts said: “This day has indeed been a long time coming,
but with £10.5million of funding secured, we can at last deliver
improvements which will ensure Pontypridd once more becomes a major
shopping destination in the South Wales Valleys.
“Many of us remember the heyday of this popular market town when
crowds of people would come from far and wide to enjoy the many
facilities on offer. Thanks to this cash injection and with the
full support of traders and businesses alike, we can work together
to recreate those days once more. The time has come for us to work
as one for the better of Pontypridd.
“The physical enhancement of Pontypridd town centre should
increase confidence in the town, and the number of visitors. This
would not only enhance local pride in Pontypridd, but also attract
new businesses and create more job opportunities for local
people.
“Thanks to the collective efforts of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
and partner organisations, we are determined to transform
Pontypridd in to a vibrant, attractive visitor’s destination for
the 21st century.
Never before has Pontypridd enjoyed so much investment. Together we
can make those changes.”