Plan to halt decline of town centre

THE town with Wales’ “worst shopping centre” could be in for “major changes”.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council will undertake a consultation with people in Tonypandy over changes which could include cars being allowed to drive through Dunraven Street once more.

It follows the Rhondda Valley town being named Wales’ worst shopping district by property advisers Harper Dennis Hobbs earlier this year.

And earlier this month, shopkeepers in the town, surrounded by empty units, told us of their daily battle just to survive, estimating that 31 shops currently lie empty.

But the council aims to halt the decline with plans including a 20mph zone and free wifi.

That’s as well as the £1,000 maintenance grants on offer to businesses in the town – a scheme that was announced last month.

Coun Robert Bevan, cabinet member for enterprise, development and housing, said: “The council is consulting on major changes to Tonypandy town centre and is now inviting the views of residents to assist the decision-making process – having consulted with local businesses back in August.

“The council is committed to improving our town centres and there are a number of ongoing schemes in Tonypandy. Free parking was introduced in April and the council is piloting a town centre maintenance grant to help traders improve shop front appearances.

“The council is also investigating the possibility of free public-access wifi across our town centres.”

The authority also announced this week there will be a public exhibition on Tuesday, November 7, at Hope Church when residents will be able to view the plans in detail and ask council officers questions.

The current pedestrianised centre was introduced in the late 1990s but the council claims a lack of passing traffic to businesses is contributing to the number of empty shops in the town centre, and that it is having a “detrimental effect” on the prosperity of the town.

Also hoping to help stop the town’s decline is a group called Improving Tonypandy, which holds regular meetings to collect ideas on what can be done.

The council said it will now consult with the community over a three-week period from Tuesday.

During the consultation, more information about the plans will be available on the council’s website, where residents can also express their views using an online survey.

Speaking about August’s engagement event, which was attended by more than 20 businesses, Coun Bevan added: “The event with traders told us they are generally supportive of the proposal to allow traffic through Dunraven Street to encourage more passing trade. The views of residents and businesses are very important in this process and the council welcomes residents’ views in this consultation.”

Visit www.rctcbc.gov.uk/tonypandy