Faults keep car park closed

BRIDGEND’S multistorey car park remains closed due to faults, while work is ongoing to determine whether it may be able to partially reopen or if it must remain closed.

The car park known as The ‘Brackla One’ multi-storey, located at Cheapside, was unable to reopen following the recent health and safety issues were discovered.

An inspection by council officers found evidence that subsurface fatigue within the facility had worsened considerably and was causing pieces of concrete to fall from the ceilings. As a result the car park, which was constructed in the 1970s, remains temporarily closed in the interests of public safety.

Council engineers are currently determining whether the car park will be able to partially reopen in order to provide some parking capacity and a Shopmobility service for the town centre.

Janine Nightingale, director of communities, said: “The car park has been demonstrating signs of ongoing deterioration for some time. While it is not structurally unsound, we recognise that it is reaching the end of its natural life, much like the former Rhiw multistorey before it.

“As such, the council already has budgeted plans in place for the inevitable demolition of the car park as well as ambitious new proposals for how this part of town may potentially be used in future.

“The Cheapside area forms an important part of our future regeneration strategy for the town centre, and plans are in development that could deliver an all-new Bridgend College building at this location, which would of course dramatically increase town centre footfall.

“Until we have further information, we are keeping an open mind with regard to the reopening of the car park, but if it is found to be too unsafe or if the required repairs are too expensive for any reopening to take place, we will consider bringing the proposed demolition forward.