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Wales Online
7 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
The ambitious plans to regenerate a town centre
The ambitious plans to regenerate a town centre RCT Council is now consulting on a town centre strategy for Tonypandy in a bid to attract investment and deliver change improvements to town centres and high streets is included in the nearly £20m of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) The projects that could potentially change the face of Tonypandy town centre have been revealed. Rhondda Cynon Taf council is currently consulting with the public on a draft Tonypandy town centre strategy which includes a series of potential projects that aim to attract investment and deliver positive and meaningful change. The council say that working with a new BID (Business Improvement District), the strategy will become a blueprint for future investment in the town centre. These focus on Pandy Square, Dunraven Street and Lower Dunraven Street, where there are already regeneration plans in process. Proposed projects for each of these areas would include: Development of green space at Gelli Road and upgrades to the memorial gardens New signs Property enhancements of derelict or underused high street properties Improved active travel facilities to encourage cycling and walking locally, for example the provision of secure cycle storage Enhancements to gateways into the town centre including improving the appearance of the bus and train stations as key areas A marketing strategy Welsh Government funding has been secured to develop the strategy via the Transforming Towns Placemaking grant, and the council has appointed consultants The Urbanists to advise and support its development. There are five main ambitions of the strategy; Tonypandy being welcoming through accessible town centre connections and promotion of sustainable travel, living on the high street with homes nestled among the shops, making history to celebrate the past and promote the future, having places to celebrate within the heart of the town to provide opportunities for people to get together and celebrate events, life, and arts and culture and nurturing business by encouraging local entrepreneurs and filling the area with traders that include small start-ups and independent stores. The consultation will run until October 3 and a dedicated online consultation page is going to be set up on the council's RCT Let Talk website. The consultation team, made up of council officers and representatives from The Urbanists, will be present at the weekly Friday market in Tonypandy on Friday, August 15 from 9am to 2pm and Friday, September 5 from 9am to 2pm. Get the latest Rhondda news first by signing up to our newsletter here . The public can also visit an exhibition stand at Tonypandy Library where visitors will be able to view the strategy and complete a paper version of the survey, which can be handed in to staff. Paper copies of the survey can also be posted free of charge to Freepost RUGK-EZZL-ELBH, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Fourth Floor Office, 2 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH. The consultation will also be promoted locally via posters and flyers in the community, along with the council's website and social media channels. Article continues below All feedback received over the eight-week period will be included in a future report to cabinet before members make a final decision on whether the council adopts the Tonypandy Town Centre Strategy.
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Regeneration plans will be ‘transformative' for Blackwood
Placemaking plans are blueprints which set out how Caerphilly County Borough Council will try to breathe new life into town centres and attract grants and investment. Based on the plan already in place for Caerphilly town, the new documents seek to continue that work in other parts of the borough, said Cllr Jamie Pritchard, the cabinet member for regeneration. The council's aim is to 'rejuvenate our high streets in challenging times' and 'we are positive about what Blackwood and Bargoed can become', he added. The plans have been developed through consultation with local residents, traders and councillors, a council meeting heard on Tuesday July 1. Liam Hopkins, from planning specialists The Urbanists, which drew up the placemaking plans, said there are 'different opportunities' for each town, based on the 'shared aspirations of residents and businesses'. In Bargoed, the proposals include more events, town-centre housing, hospitality businesses, better connections between the high street and public transport, and action against problem parking. Proposals for Blackwood include improved connections, more homes in the town centre, better green spaces, and a wider leisure and entertainment offer. Residents of both towns will see empty shops tackled in a bid to improve the look and feel of their high streets. Elvis to be in the building as family arrange Risca fundraiser Town's Pride shows how much we have grown - says organiser This could include the council taking over some vacant properties by way of a £4.5 million grant, Cllr Pritchard said. Blackwood councillor Andrew Farina-Childs said he 'fully' supports the new placemaking plan, which would 'undoubtedly have a positive impact and really see the town thriving again'. He singled out proposals for more leisure, accessible and youth services as highlights, as well as practical additions such as public toilets and some free car parking. Fellow Blackwood councillor Nigel Dix also supported the plan, but said it would 'take years to come to fruition'. He urged the council to 'keep consulting' with traders, residents and councillors throughout the process. Aberbargoed and Bargoed councillor Dawn Ingram-Jones called the plan for her ward 'very exciting' and said the town's regeneration would be 'transformatory' and 'make a difference'. 'We are really looking forward to the mix of uses,' she said. 'Retail as we know is very difficult'. Ward colleague Cllr Christine Bissex-Foster noted the plans are 'not a short-term project' and asked how the council will 'ensure this stays at the top of the pile and [is] not forgotten'. 'We've got a really strong team, really energetic,' replied Allan Dallimore, the council's regeneration services manager. 'It's going to be a constant engagement,' Cllr Pritchard added.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
'Totally nauseating for the majority of people in Wales' Cardiff tram plan sparks criticism
'Totally nauseating for the majority of people in Wales' Cardiff tram plan sparks criticism "When are they ever going to spend money in other parts of Wales that are falling apart?' Trams are seen as a more sustainable form of transport (Image: The Urbanists ) Wales Online readers are somewhat sceptical about plans for Cardiff to welcome its first trams in decades and the opening of a new railway station off Newport Road. The city council has unveiled five images depicting the initial phase of Cardiff's new tram system, which is slated to open in 2028. The Welsh and UK governments have agreed to fund the £100m first phase of the project, dubbed Cardiff Crossrail, which will see tram-trains running from Central station down to the Bay. The plans involve some traffic re-routing around Callaghan Square, which is the path the trams will take from the central station down to the Bay. The hope is to construct a short piece of linking track that would allow tram trains to continue onto the existing rail network, enabling services to run further afield. However, these long-term visions hinge on future funding, which is not believed to be included in the Chancellor's £445m spending commitment announced in last week's spending review. The Chancellor's announcement did include funding for a junction at Cardiff west, which is crucial to the future plans by allowing an increase in the number of services able to run on the City and Coryton lines to four an hour. The aim is for the first phase of the new tram link, running from Cardiff Central Station to Cardiff Bay, to be operational by the summer of 2028. Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Transport for Wales, expressed his hopes for the new tramway: "Our ambition is that the new tramway will contribute towards a more sustainable transport network for Cardiff, which will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and instead choose more sustainable ways to travel." Article continues below Commenter TaffintheRaf says: 'In China, once a project has been given the go ahead, the applicants have a maximum of 5 years to complete the work otherwise there are huge penalties. Surely, since the money has been allocated, the whole project can be finished in 5 years?' StevenBoyd is not convinced: 'It took nine years to build a bus station which is totally unsuitable and requires a half mile walk if connecting with a coach.' Taf1956 agrees: '"Will" will soon change to "probably won't" as the planning process drags on for a decade or so, at great expense of course. With loads of money going to "consultants" before the whole idea is shelved.' IronPaws writes: 'This will just be serving empty office buildings. When are they ever going to spend money in other parts of Wales that are falling apart?' Jackambition agrees: 'Any chance we could have a tram from Swansea Marina to Mumbles to replace the Mumbles train or does Wales finish in Cardiff?' Littlenell adds: 'Can we have the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line re-instated please, as the good people of Cardiff can probably walk or cycle the length of the tram line?' Ilco feels it is: 'Totally nauseating for the majority of people in Wales whose transport services are so bad that they could not get anywhere close to Cardiff without a car.' Barrian asks: 'Why not just buy loads of buses which can go anywhere in Wales (and beyond)? All this money just so the AMs don't have to walk a couple of hundred metres from Cardiff Bay station.' Davebuses agrees: 'The 'ambition' is to extend from Bute Street to Pierhead Street - a five minute walk. Surely up Saint Mary Street to the castle would be far more useful?' Scarsdaleblue wonders: 'Are the roads wide enough to cope with cars, bike lanes and trams?' Bobbythegunner replies: 'Cars will be banned. It's the next step. Have you not seen the thin end of the wedge over the past few years?' Migwan points out: 'The bottom line is - people will leave their cars at home if there's reliable and affordable public transport. Something that the trains are not. Hopefully they'll get the money together to fully fund it how they want it and not just be a single phased pipe dream.' Article continues below Windway thinks: 'Reducing vehicle access east/west further is a big mistake, we never see a plan to widen, construct, repair or improve a road. Blinkered transport plan as usual.' How do you feel about the new tram plans? Do you think it will work and will it come to fruition? Have your say in our comments section.
Wales Online
11-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Major update issued on plans for £100m Cardiff tram network
Major update issued on plans for £100m Cardiff tram network Cardiff Council said that following a public consultation it has implemented a number of changes to the scheme Artist impressions showing what the new tram route from Cardiff Central railway station to Cardiff Bay could look like at Callaghan Square. (Image: The Urbanists ) The first phase of the ambitious Cardiff Crossrail project, with a new tram link running from Cardiff Central Station to Cardiff Bay, is on track to become operational by the summer of 2028. Phase one, for which enabling work will commence this summer, will deliver a dedicated Crossrail station on the southside of Cardiff Central Station with the route running through Callaghan Square, before meeting the existing rail line that runs from Queen Street Station and alongside Bute Street down to the Bay. Following a public consultation on the £100m project from Cardiff Council, for which it secured levelling up funding from the former Westminster Government of Boris Johnson with £50m match funding from the Welsh Government, a number of changes have been confirmed. They council said these include: The north section of Bute Street, travelling towards Cardiff Bay will remain open to traffic to ensure better road access between Butetown and Cardiff Bay A commitment to access and inclusion groups to continue to engage through the detailed design process More planting and green infrastructure on Callaghan Square Improved bus movements on Custom House Street and a replacement bus layover bay on Park Street. The council, which is working on the project with Transport for Wales, said tram-trains are scheduled to become operational on the route ahead of football matches being staged at the Principality Stadium for the UEFA 2028 European Championships. Article continues below How the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail from Cardiff Central Station to Cardiff could look. Image by Cardiff-based architectrual firm The Urbanists. (Image: The Urbanists ) As part of the wider Cardiff Crossrail transport vision, and subject to funding, the aim is for it to be extended to Pierhead Street to support redevelopment plans at Atlantic Wharf alongside the new indoor arena. It is then planned to move eastwards to link up with proposed new stations on South Wales Mainline at Newport Road and the Cardiff Parkway station at St Mellons, integrated in a new 900,000 sq ft business park. Longer-term schemes for Crossrail include it reaching Plasdwr in the north west of the city. Dan De'Ath, Cardiff council cabinet member for strategic planning, transport and climate change, said: 'Cardiff Crossrail is a bold and ambitious plan to deliver a new tram system for the city - one that will eventually stretch from the northwest to the east, connecting with the proposed Parkway Station. "With further investment, we aim to create a reliable, affordable cross-city tram service that links some of Cardiff's most underserved communities to the rail network for the first time. "This is a long-term investment in Cardiff's public transport infrastructure - designed not just to move people, but to transform how they move. While the cost of this section reflects the scale of the work, some of the funding will go towards improving public spaces and integrating walking and cycling routes. "This is about building a greener, more sustainable transport system - like those already operating in cities such as Manchester, Nottingham and Edinburgh.' As part of the delivery process Cardiff Council is seeking an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to authorise the construction and operation of phase one of Crossrail. A decision to approve the making of an application for an order must first be endorsed by Cardiff Council before being submitted to Welsh Ministers via Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). If approved by the council an application for the order is programmed to be submitted in July. The application process is likely to take around 12 months and if the order is made by Welsh ministers, tram services should be operational by 2028. The council's milestones for the projects are: This summer commence some enabling ground and site investigation works. Late this year completion of detailed design. Spring 2026 commence some enabling highway and public realm works; Late 2026 commence construction of the tram track and the associated platforms at Cardiff Central: 2028 completion of all infrastructure works and the summer of 2028 becoming operational. Ian Tipper, Transport for Wales' chief infrastructure officer, said: 'We're continuing to work in partnership with Cardiff Council on exciting plans for the delivery of a brand-new tramway between Cardiff Central station and Cardiff Bay station. These plans align with the delivery of the Cardiff Bay line transformation, which will allow faster and more frequent services using brand-new tram-trains. 'Our ambition is that the new tramway will contribute towards a more sustainable transport network for Cardiff, which will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and instead choose more sustainable ways to travel. 'We're grateful for the contributions we received from our communities in the public consultation which was held back in autumn. This feedback will be vital in helping us shape this project so we can deliver a public tramway that people are proud of.' UK Government Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This project marks real progress in delivering better, greener transport for Cardiff. Crossrail will make it easier for people to get around the city and open up new opportunities for jobs, business and growth. Article continues below 'We're serious about improving transport in every corner of the UK as part of our Plan for Change which is why we're investing at least £445m into rail projects alone in north and south Wales. With phase one set to complete in 2028, Cardiff is on track for a stronger, better-connected future.' Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: 'Cardiff Cross Rail is an ambitious and innovative project connecting the city centre with the Bay. I am pleased that Cardiff Council are now pressing ahead with the legal orders to make the scheme a reality.'
