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.
Key to the redevelopment of this area has been the refurbishment of 25-26 High Street, rebranded Ty Penderyn. The newly refurbished, former eyesore is being marketed as a Cafe/Bistro and is now a modern looking building with glazed frontage and decked area overlooking St Tydfil’s Square. Grant assistance has been offered to develop the site at 27 High Street which is also progressing. Both have been awarded Town Improvement Grants by the Council in order to undertake these physical improvements to the buildings.
Below are the weekly updates of the projects form the last 6 months of the project.
Update (14th November 2008)
The area is now open to pedestrians and traffic can move through Broad Street to Three Salmon Street. Work is ongoing with the automated bollard system and this will be operational shortly. Anti skateboard measures have been installed along with the remaining bronze inserts. The lighting of the scheme will be switched on to coincide with the Christmas Lighting event on November 21st.
Update (7th November 2008)
This scheme is nearly completed, and only awaits the installation of some further art work and relocation of a CCTV column. The area is currently undergoing ‘snagging’ with minor works being completed. The contractors are aiming to open this area to the public the week commencing 17th November.
Update (30th October 2008)
A meeting will be held on Thursday 6th November for hand over to the Council. The area is currently undergoing inspection for minor repairs, and installation of the skateboard deterrents which we are still awaiting from the supplier.
Update (24th October 2008)
Work has been completed in Swan Street, excluding the area where the electric box will be relocated too. Paving in Masonic Street has also been completed. All landscape works have also been completed. The site will soon be open to the public and traffic, a date for this will be confirmed next week.
Outstanding works are to the market compound, bollard installation, and anti-skateboard measures.
Update (16th October 2008)
Work to the paving in Swan Street will be completed this week, with only the gates to the compound remaining to be fitted.
Excavations have taken place in Masonic Street outside Enterprising Art, and paving is to be laid next week.
All the public realm has been installed, including planting, benches, litter bins and bollards.The only outstanding installations are the final bronze inserts for the art band and skateboard deterrents.
Update (10th October 2008)
Work continues on paving in Swan Street around the market compound. The art band in the square has been completed and we now only await the bronze handrails from the foundry. Benches and litter bins have been installed at the public square.
Update (7th October 2008)
The site continues to undergo snagging and installation of street furniture. A progress meeting will be held tomorrow with the contractor and consultant. An update will be posted following that meeting.
Update 30th (September 2008)
The site is currently undergoing 'snagging' by the landscape architect, where all minor issues and completions that need to be addressed are resolved.
Installation of the street furniture is still ongoing. Excavations at Swan Street, outside the new shop have commenced for the re-paving of this area.
Update 26th (September 2008)
The traffic table at Swan Street has been completed, and the road will be fully open and operational shortly. The market compound has been constructed and awaits final design decisions for completion.
Several pieces of street furniture have been installed, including bollards at Court Street, litter bins and the bronze bench. The art band is nearing completion, as we await final bronze inserts from the foundry
Update (22nd September 2008)
The Continental Market was successfully held in the new church square on Saturday.
Outstanding areas of work to be completed are:
Paving at Broad Street Paving in Masonic Street (outside Enterprising Art) Installation of street furniture (benches, bins, etc) Planting of shrub beds. Construction of Market Compound in Swan Street.
Update 22nd September (2008)
The loading bay adjacent to Lloyd's Bank on Tramroadside North has been completed and excavation of the footway will commence shortly. The loading bay and pavement to the front entrance of Lloyd's Bank also nears completion.
Excavations have taken place outside Supercigs, Stardust Amusements and Littlewoods Catalogue Shop. Paving continues outside Ethel Austin, but has been completed outside Gregg's.
Update (11th September 2008)
After discussions with our architect Austin Smith Lord, and our contractor Dyer and Butler, we have been advised that the scheme will be completed by the end of September.
The traffic table at Swan Street has been 50% completed. The southern section has been completed, with the northern section excavated and foundations laid.
The church square nears completion with only small elements if the art band to be installed. The square will be open for a Continental Market on Saturday 20th September.
Update (3rd September 2008)
The new traffic table at Swan Street, which joins together the two regeneration schemes in upper and lower High Street nears completion on the south side of the junction. It is hoped that work will commence on the northern section next week.
Paving has been completed in the church square, apart from some tie in areas. The art band has also started to be installed along with LED lighting.
Update (28th August 2008)
Concrete foundations and paving have been laid in the roadway at Swan Street, at the south side of the street.
Paving in Masonic Street continues to be laid outside the Conservative Club.
Paving in the church square is nearing completion, and the shrub beds have been laid too.
Update (20th August 2008)
The rain has hindered the progress of work this week, making the laying of pavement very difficult.
The excavations at Swan Street have increased across 50% of the roadway from Pizza Time to Chaplin's Hotel. The road remains open for access to Masonic Street.
Bollards and signage posts have been installed outside Pizza Time and Chaplin's Hotel in preparation for traffic control.
Update (15th August 2008)
Excavation of Swan Street roadway has commenced for the creation of the granite traffic table. The roadway is still open to traffic and work is concentrated around the corner of Pizza Time and Alpha Bar.
Paving in Masonic Street progress' with the area outside Chaplin's nearing completion.
Paving continues to be laid in Broad Street and the church square.
Update (12th August 2008)
Rain has affected the laying of pavements in the area. However paving has been laid in the church square with the south of the area nearing completion as it has now met Court Street.
Bollards have been installed at the end of Lower High Street outside Ty Penderyn as part of the traffic control in the area.
Paving in Masonic Street has also resumed, with the are outside Chaplin's Hotel 50% complete.
Update (8th August 2008)
New bollards have been installed in Market Square in front of the school entrance.
The automatic rising bollard system to restrict traffic movement through Lower High Street is currently being installed outside Ty Penderyn and Chaplin's Hotel.
Paving continues to be laid in the east of the new public square.
Update (4th August 2008)
Work on tying together Lower High Street, Three Salmon Street and Broad Street has been completed. The laying of granite paving at Broad Street continues.
Work to the traffic table in Swan Street has been delayed due to the current work being undertaken on the new building and paving in High Street. This is hoped to commence next week.
Update (29th July 2008)
Paving in the church square has now met Court Street east of the fountain. This is due to be grouted tomorrow, weather pending.
Foundations for the roadway in Broad Street are being put in place. And paving of the pavements along Ty Penderyn continues
Update (24th July 2008)
Western Power have now completed their work onsite and paving has recommenced in the Church Square. In addition to this the public art through the square, a band of light, bronze and granite has commenced.
Excavation of the roadway in Broad Street has also commenced, with granite paving also being installed half way across Ty Penderyn.
The sitting steps have been completed as well as the refurbishment to the Lucy Thomas fountain.
Paving in Masonic Street has had to be removed, along with kerbs and drainage channels due to problems with levels of gradient.
Update (22nd July 2008)
The Church Square is awaiting the connection of various Western Power cables, leading to a delay in paving the square due to connection points required. Western Power are expected to commence this work on Wednesday (23rd July).
A progress meeting will be held tomorrow with the consultants Austin-Smith Lord and the contractors Dyer and Butler tomorrow, and more information will be available after this time.
Update (18th July 2008)
Paving along Masonic Street has been completed along Chaplin's Hotel, with the work outside the Conservative Club still on-going.
Paving has been completed along the Lower High Street as far south as Three Salmon Street, and work in the road way to connect to Broad Street is ongoing.
Paving to the north of Lower High Street adjoining Swan Street is still outstanding as we await the installation of the automatic bollards.
Update (15th July 2008)
Paving continues to be laid at the church square in front of the installed sitting steps.
The new street lighting in the square is operational.
Work on joining together the paving in Three Salmon Street, Lower High Street and the Church Square continues
Update (10th July 2008)
Works have been hindered by the current wet weather, but progress continues to be made. Access from Broad Street is still closed and will remain closed for a further two to three weeks. Western Power have completed their installation of electrics to the east of the church square and this area is being prepared for paving.
Kerbs and drainage channels have started to be placed in Masonic Street and paving continues to be laid.
Update (8th July 2008)
Work is continuing to be undertaken in ensuring that where all sections of completed paving meet are at the correct levels. The wet weather has slowed progress, but not affected the completion expected for Summer 2008.
Works to the paving in Masonic Street continue, and traffic lights have been installed to help ensure delivery vehicles can access the street.
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 together 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 preparation for re-paving.
Update (30th June 2008)
The Lower High Street project includes 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.