Town Centre Regeneration
As well as new property developments and refurbishments, Merthyr Tydfil town centre currently has various schemes in place keep the town centre up-to-date with projects involving infrastructure, facilities, transport and access.
As a result of £2million pounds of Objective One Funding, and investment from the Welsh Assembly Government, Heads of the Valley Initiative and private sector investment, a wide range of physical regeneration projects are currently underway.
Below are a selection of projects currently being undertaken. The Town Centre Regeneration Project includes a range of economically based town centre regeneration initiatives such as building enhancements, public realm improvements, new signage & information boards and funding for the Town Centre Manager.
High Street Public Realm Improvements
Update 3rd (July 2008)
An information stand will be located in the Farmers Market on Friday July 4th. Council officers will be on hand to answer your queries and provide information.
Western Power will be on site this Sunday (July 6th) to undertake work to the electricity supply located outside the Orange store. Once this has been completed paving of this area will be undertaken.
Update (30th June 2008)
The environmental works to the High Street are nearing completion. Works to the High Street pedestrian area have been completed from Specsavers south to Sunflowers Café, with Market Square also completed.
In areas where improvement works have been completed a marked difference can now be seen in the town centre. Lamp posts have been removed, with new street lighting now mounted onto several buildings following the helpful co-operation of building owners.
A seating area has been created in Market Square, with several solid granite benches being installed – all inscribed with quotes from prominent local people and lit at night.
Works additional to the original contract, due to be undertaken on the trafficked route of the upper High Street, have been delayed due to current road restrictions at Tramroadside North. The contractors have advised that re-surfacing of pavements and the creation of a loading bay at Lloyds Bank are also due for completion summer 2008.
The current environmental improvements to the High Street started in August 2007, and we are now advised by our contractor's The Landscape Group that we have an expected completion date of Summer 2008.
Delays have occurred in the programme due to unforeseen circumstances, that could not have been predicted. Extensive site investigations were undertaken prior to the contract commencing, but additional cellars and service upgrades have caused added complications.
The town centre public realm had deteriorated rapidly with the floorscape in a very serious state of disrepair. The new design for the High Street and Market Square includes:
- new high quality granite floorscape
- improved drainage
- street signage
- seating
- planting
- public art
The project has also installed new street lighting to buildings, thereby removing the proliferation of lighting columns and street signage.
Completion is expected by Summer 2008, and will be undertaken in phases throughout the town centre. Site notices will be on display during the works to provide information on the project and timescales.
For a weekly update on the works please visit, www.merthyrtydfil.org.uk or alternatively click on regular updates above.
The Café Quarter
Update (3rd July 2008)
Three Salmon Street has been temporarily closed and will remain closed for four weeks. This is necessary in order to tie togther the paving in Lower High Street, Three Salmon Street and Broad Street.
The pavements in Masonic Street (outside the Conservative Club) have been excavated in preperation for re-paving.
Update (30th June 2008)
The Lower High St project incudes re-surfacing of the existing floor scape and the redesign of an area adjacent to the Lucy Thomas Fountain to form a new public space suitable for street markets, events and exhibitions.
Work has been completed in Three Salmon Street, with works to Swan Street and Broad Street and the new public square outside St Tydfil’s Church ongoing.
This project forms part of the environmental improvements to the High Street. The design of this area varies slightly from the High Street enabling a sense of place for the Cafe Quarter. A new public space and greater definition of existing areas will also compliment the Cafe Quarter.
The two main elements of the project are concerned with the treatment of the existing floor space, focused on Lower High Street and the redesign of the area around Lucy Thomas Fountain to form a new public space suitable for street markets and exhibitions.
Work has been completed in Three Salmon Street, and High Street these areas have been re-paved in different shades of grey granite. Work is still underway in Swan Street, Broad Street and the newly created public square outside St Tydfil’s Church.
Completion of the scheme is expected in Summer 2008.
Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre Approaches
Merthyr Tydfil has been the subject of a number of strategies to improve the identity of the town and improve pedestrian orientation. As a result Merthyr Tydfil CBC appointed the team of Philip Cave Associates and Placemarque to look at how the identity established for the town centre could be extended to the main approaches and what new landscape, signage and artwork elements could be introduced to announce the arrival at Merthyr Tydfil and draw passing traffic unto the town.
Currently we have completed:
- new uniform street signs across the town centre.
- directional fingerposts at key locations across the town.
- town centre maps and interpretation panels at sites of interest throughout the town centre.
- banners along all key routes into the town centre advertising events and attractions.
- Re-location of the Charles Sansbury sculpture to the Caedraw Gateway, with hard and soft landscaping plus lighting in the evening.
Still under construction is the new gateway at the Rhydycar/A470 entrance where pennant dry stone walls are being erected to mark the entrance to the town centre, along with soft landscaping features. Completion is due August 2008.
River Corridor Improvements
In March 2006 Austin Smith Lord consultants prepared the River Taff Corridor Strategy that identified a range of projects that could be implemented to improve the landscape of the River Corridor. The first phase of completed works includes:
- Penry Street Bridge and Riverside Walkway Improvements to incorporate new railings, lighting, landscaping, and new paving
- Jackson’s Bridge Area Enhancements including the creation of a new public park with a pathway liking to the Taff Trail, seating and complimentary planting.
- The treatment of Japanese Knotweed in the river and it's banks, resurfacing and widening of existing footpath, tree planting and new street furniture.
- Taff Trail Enhancements to include an improved pedestrian route into the Town Centre between the A4120 and the Taff Trail, resurfacing Taff Trail with (natural materials), and landscaping.
Still under construction is the fish pass and viewing platform over the River Taff . Completion on this is due in August 2008.
This project was funded through the HOV Programme
For further details about Regeneration in Merthyr Tydfil, please contact:
Regeneration Department
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Civic Centre, Castle Street
Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AN
Tel. 01685 725007
Fax. 01685 723751
towncentre@merthyr.gov.uk