A major £2.2million Highways Investment scheme is being introduced in Pontypridd town centre alongside the widespread regeneration work currently underway.
The Pontypridd programme focuses on adding value to the works undertaken by Sainsbury’s to improve access from the town centre to their new store on the Brown Lenox site.
As part of the work to improve the access to Sainsbury’s new £50 million store, traffic signals will be added to the Bridge Street roundabout, together with pedestrian crossings on each of the A470 slip roads.
Further funding has been secured through the South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) to include a bus lane, costing £300,000 which will run from the roundabout, alongside Ynysangharad War Memorial Park towards the town.
Every hour 23 buses use this route from the A470 to Pontypridd Bus Station, bringing 2,700 passengers a day into the town. Local bus operator, NAT Group, has already registered a new service that will link Sainsbury’s to the town centre and others are expected to follow.
The work that is currently underway in the vicinity of the A470 Bridge Street roundabout will continue until the Summer 2012.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Sewta have submitted a bid for further funding in 2012/13 to provide more improvements to the transport corridor between Pontypridd and Cardiff as well as the centre of Pontypridd and the results of the bid should be announced by the Welsh Government shortly.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and Emergency Planning said, “The introduction of the bus lane will provide additional capacity for buses, reduce delays for passengers and improve travel time reliability, whilst still maintaining current access levels for other motorists.
“The work is being introduced alongside the largest cash injection Pontypridd town centre has ever experienced. Currently Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is delivering a £10.5million regeneration programme in the town centre.
“This is part of a wider masterplan amounting to almost £80million with the opening of Sainsbury’s and the new Riverside Shopping Development happening alongside the large-scale refurbishment of Pontypridd Museum and Pontypridd Train Station.
“The highways workforce are heavily dependant on support of motorists and whilst works may cause some minor disruptions, I would urge them to be patient whilst these essential works are carried out.
“This investment not only improves our highway network but also supports local public transport, jobs and growth.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council working in partnership with the Welsh Government is currently ploughing an additional £9million into improving the fabric of the highway network throughout the County Borough on top of the £10million alreadu spent for the benefit of motorists and residents alike. This investment will improve the condition of the roads and help to eliminate pot-holes.
For further details about the widespread regeneration plans underway in Pontypridd visit www.loveponty.com
