29 January 2010
The Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies, visited Bargoed town centre today (Thursday 28th January) to announce an £8.3m funding package that will help give the town centre a major boost.
The money will fund a range of regeneration work within Bargoed including the construction of a new bus station, improved pedestrian zones and enhanced public open spaces within the main high street.
The £8.3m includes £3.2m from the European Regional Development Fund and £2.5m of Targeted Match Funding through the Welsh Assembly Government. It is also made up of Urban Renewal funding from Caerphilly County Borough Council as well as a Transport Grant and Heads of the Valleys programme funding which has already been secured through the Welsh Assembly Government.
Announcing the funding Jocelyn Davies said: "Today's announcement is excellent news for Bargoed. This package of European funding will be invested to revitalise the town centre, increasing its accessibility and complementing the new major retail, leisure and commercial developments being undertaken as part of the wider regeneration programme.
"I am confident that the scheme will deliver long term economic, environmental and social benefits for Bargoed, bringing with it new employment and business opportunities and helping to build a more attractive environment for the local community."
Minister for Business and Budget Jane Hutt said, "Support from the Targeted Match Fund will ensure the success of this scheme and demonstrates how we can back up our One Wales commitments to build stronger, more sustainable communities. We are committed to using European funding in a strategic way to help to help boost the economy as we lead Wales out of recession."
The scheme is led by Caerphilly County Borough Council who last year, in conjunction with SEWTA (South East Wales Transport Alliance) and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, secured funding to develop a series of Park and Ride schemes along the Central Valleys lines. The construction of the new bus station will be another major step towards creating an easily accessible transport hub that provides access to jobs in the wider region and reduces traffic congestion.
Cllr Ron Davies, CCBC Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Countryside said, "We are delighted to receive this welcome news from the Welsh Assembly Government that will enable Caerphilly County Borough Council to secure a bright future for Bargoed. I'm sure that the whole community will be delighted with the news and we now look forward to seeing these ambitious regeneration works progress."
The Leader of Council, Cllr Lindsay Whittle added, "This decision demonstrates to potential investors and developers that the council and the Assembly Government are committed to turning this proud valleys town into a thriving and bustling economic centre for South Wales."
The funding package will support the: -
- Creation of a new bus station at the northern end of the town close to the railway station.
- Enhancement of High Street and Hanbury Road (wider pavements, new street furniture etc).
- Creation of new civic space on Hanbury Square (the existing bus station site).
For further information, please visit the Bargoed's Big Idea website.
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