£10m boost will help revitalise town centre

A £10m investment to help revitalise Pontypridd town centre has been announced.

The funding is part of a Wales-wide infrastructure investment programme worth more than £110m launched today.

Housing and regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans announced £10m of funding for Pontypridd’s Taff Vale development, the first project to get underway as part of the Welsh Government’s Building for the Future programme. The Taff Vale site will house office space and community facilities, including a library and a gym, across three buildings.

The Building for the Future programme, supported by £38m from the European Regional Development Fund and £16m from the Welsh Government’s targeted match fund, aims to support business growth, create jobs and increase footfall in town centres by refurbishing or redeveloping derelict or under-used land and buildings.

Ms Evans, who recently joined the Valleys Taskforce, said: “The Taff Vale project demonstrates how we are meeting our Valleys Taskforce ambitions to create jobs, boost the construction industry and revitalise town centres.

“Transport for Wales, the next rail franchise and South Wales Metro operator, will be based in the development.

“It will transform the centre of Pontypridd and is currently the largest single development project in the town. It’s exciting to see these buildings start to take shape.

“Building for the Future will reenergise our town centres and create some bright opportunities for people and businesses up and down the country.

“It’s great to see this work is already underway in Pontypridd.”

The Welsh Government said the scheme is part of a commitment to fantastic close the employment gap between the South Wales Valleys and the rest of Wales.

The Pontypridd investment includes £7m of EU funding.

In addition to Welsh Government and EU funding, schemes supported through the Building for Future programme will be match funded from a range of public, third and private sector sources.