Town’s park will remain closed for flood work to be carried out

PONTYPRIDD’S Ynysangharad War Memorial Park will remain shut for at least another three weeks, Rhondda Cynon Taf council has confirmed.

The park was left severely damaged following floods caused by Storm Dennis in February and has remained closed since.

In March, it was proposed the park should reopen on April 4.

However, this did not go ahead and the council has since decided the park will remain closed as there is still work to be carried out.

Work has been ongoing to repair the lido and play area, fencing, cricket pavilion, football changing rooms, bowls pavilion, cafe and public toilets which were all damaged.

The repair work being carried out on the park has been delayed over the past few weeks due to the council’s need to re-direct staff in response to the coronavirus national emergency.

A spokesman for the council stressed the decision to keep the park closed was not to restrict public spaces during lockdown but based on the availability of staff resources over recent weeks.

The decision to keep the park closed will be reviewed in two to three weeks.

They added: “The work to re-open the park is continuing and the opening of the park will be kept under review. On this basis, the council has again determined that the park is not yet in a position to re-open for public use.

“National public health guidance does not require public spaces such as parks to be closed and, while we have also reflected on the extended lockdown, the decision is mainly based upon the availability of staff resources during this period to bring the park back into public use.

“Other public parks in RCT continue to operate, where residents are able to conduct their daily exercise only, as permitted under the current restrictions while exercising social distancing.”

Alex Davies-Jones, MP for Pontypridd, said she has been inundated with messages from constituents who were concerned about the reopening of the park.

Ms Davies-Jones said on Twitter: “Whilst the country remains in lockdown being able to go for a walk, enjoy fresh air and get some exercise is really important for our mental health and well-being.

“It is a shame that Ynysangharad Park has been closed due to flooding damage and whilst we all miss this fantastic community space I feel that opening the park too early would cause unnecessary safety concerns and put pressure on our already stretched emergency services.”

She added that she will continue to work with the council to ensure the park is open as soon as it is deemed safe.