Hirwaun and Maerdy are to benefit from a £670,000 makeover after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council secured essential funding on behalf of the communities.
A Council bid for funding from the Heads of the Valleys programme has recently been approved, enabling work to go ahead in both villages.
The funding will enable work to begin on new street lighting, upgraded street furniture and paving to create bright, modern and attractive urban spaces in both Hirwaun and Maerdy.
The first phase of the work begins this month to renew and improve street lighting in Hirwaun to benefit businesses, traders, shoppers and residents in time for the festive season.
Work is set to be completed at the beginning of December, with the next stage starting in January 2011 to overhaul the paving in High Street, improve access for wheelchair users and enhance the open space around the war memorial to create a focal point for Hirwaun.
All of the work being carried out in the village is based upon choices residents and businesses made during a recent public exhibition.
Visitors were invited to view plans for the area and make their choices on the new lighting, paving and street furniture they would like to see.
A similar exhibition is set to take place in Maerdy at the beginning of next year, to enable stakeholders to join forces with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council staff to make their choices for the work to be undertaken in their villages, with work beginning soon after.
All work will be delivered by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Highways and Transportation units, with support from the Regeneration and Planning Division.
Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Safer Communities, said: “We are so pleased to have been able to secure this essential external funding on behalf of the communities of Hirwaun and Maerdy.
“It will enable extensive work to create bright and attractive modern places for the benefit of those who live, work and socialise in these areas, as well as attracting new visitors and investment.”
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transportation, Customer Care and Emergency Planning, concluded: “Our programme of regeneration works across the County Borough continues at some pace, with new transport facilities, improved roads and drainage, road safety schemes and, now, the significant investment in Hirwaun and Maerdy.”
