NewTaffVale development will rejuvenate the area
WORK has finally begun at the site of Pontypridd ’s major Taff Vale development, which had been “a large abandoned space in the town centre for decades”.
The news comes after years of anticipation and speculation surrounding the town centre site, as well as a number of failed private sector projects to rejuvenate the area.
The site was once home to the Taff Vale Shopping Centre but the work, which began on Monday, will see a new library and leisure hub as well as the base for South Wales Metro operator Transport for Wales built there.
The first operations – “enabling” works – began on Monday ahead of construction in February, almost three years after Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council became the outright site owner in April 2015.
The scheme is due to be completed by 2020.
Robert Bevan, RCT Council’s cabinet member for enterprise, development and housing, said: “We are entering very exciting times for the long-awaited Taff Vale scheme in Pontypridd after planning permission was granted in September. With enabling works beginning today and construction work to start imminently, residents will be able to see for themselves the tremendous progress being made in making this flagship development a reality.
“The scheme will bring a significant number of jobs to Pontypridd and will provide a boost to town centre businesses through increased footfall. It has the potential to greatly contribute to the town’s retail and commercial offer, and take advantage of the opportunities created by the South Wales Metro and the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.”
The Taff Vale development will be made up of three buildings. The first (nearest Gas Road car park) and second (the central building) will both have office floor space.
The third will be a “gateway” building to Pontypridd. It will include a 21st-century library, a council customer contact point, a cafe, meeting rooms, community facilities and a new leisure and fitness centre.
Other upcoming milestones for the project, which is being carried out by contractors Willmott Dixon on behalf of RCT Council, include:
Piling works beginning: spring 2018;
cranes erected on 2018;
planning submission for a new footbridge, which will link Ynysangharad Park with the new development: site: spring summer 2018;
footbridge construction: spring 2019;
footbridge completion: autumn 2019;
and building handovers and occupation: 2019-20.
Coun Bevan added: “The development will create an impressive new gateway to Pontypridd and, after years of waiting, will revitalise the Taff Vale site, which has remained a large abandoned space in the town centre for decades.
“In 2017 we saw several important landmarks reached, with plenty more on the horizon in 2018. In fact, just days into the New Year, we are breaking the ground with enabling works to allow the construction phase to follow shortly after.
“I look forward to seeing even more progress being made in the coming weeks and months as the transformation of Taff Vale accelerates further.”
Welcoming the start of works, Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw said: “This is an extremely important day for our town and for the future prosperity of Pontypridd. I congratulate RCT Council and the Welsh Government on their investment in this project and for moving so quickly to the build stage.
“I know that some have doubted that this project would come to fruition, but with building work now under way we can all be confident that this major component in the rejuvenation of Pontypridd is on its way.”