Pontypridd Regeneration Scheme is totally transforming the popular town centre as witnessed by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council leadership who viewed the progress undertaken to date.
This week Leader of the Council Cllr Russell Roberts joined Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Safer Communities Cllr Paul Cannon and Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care & Emergency Planning Cllr Andrew Morgan to see the latest phases underway.
The Council Leader said: “The £10.5million programme of improvements to the town centre are taking shape with the progress being made on the street works becoming visible for all to see.
“Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was delighted to secure this money from the Welsh Government and for their support for our vision and plans for Pontypridd which have been so painstakingly prepared. It has taken a considerable length of time to get to this stage and has only been possible by having continuity and stability within the Council and its strategic planning.
“There is plenty going on in Pontypridd; from the new Sainsbury’s and eagerly anticipated Riverside Shopping Centre to the railway station improvements and recently erected Roll of Honour Memorial in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park.
“The current investment in Pontypridd is unprecedented and will be make for a better town, restoring it to its former status. It is long overdue but it is now happening for real.”
The councillors viewed many of the completed areas of the streetscape where high quality granite materials which have now been introduced in the shopping thoroughfare, and transformed areas in Mill Street and Church Street giving a clear indication of how outstanding the streetscape will be once completed.
The introduction of new street furniture has also begun with the first of the street benches installed on High Street. During the visit the councillors also met with the owner of the latest property to receive funding through the Townscape Enhancement Programme to refurbish their commercial premises.
The Council’s contractors Costain, recommenced their phased work at the start of the year following a break over Christmas to assist traders. Works are now focusing on Taff Street, High Street, the Church Street junction with Gelliwastad Road, and Market Street.
The transformation of Penuel Square will also continue with the restoration of the Fountain.
The work in Pontypridd comes alongside the redevelopment of the Taff Vale Shopping Precinct, which has now been demolished and a new Riverside Shopping Centre will soon be under construction.
A £153,000 refurbishment project of Pontypridd Museum has been completed along with a £2million restoration of the Pontypridd train station canopy. Work on the £50million Sainsburys development of the Brown Lenox site has also commenced with the frame of the new store already in place.
The £10.5M Pontypridd Town Centre Regeneration project is taking place following the Council securing financial support from the Welsh Government through the European Regional Development Fund and Targeted Match Funding, alongside Council and private sector contributions.
