£2m bridge plans revealed
HERE’S how a £2m footbridge linking Pontypridd’s main park with the Taff Vale development could look.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s planning committee approved the application last week, which will connect Ynysangharad War Memorial Park to the town centre.
The plan also includes the demolition of the disused changing rooms next to the former day centre and the removal of a ramp to the lower parking area.
The bridge will be a cable-stayed footbridge structure with its mast, around 25m high, located near the bank on the park side of the river.
The bridge will be positioned around 100m south of the William Edwards Bridge, at a point between buildings A and B of the Taff Vale development.
It will connect to Ynysangharad Park, towards the northern part of the area formerly occupied by the day centre.
The park, which has been buoyed by the success of the National Lido of Wales, is one of the region’s most popular attractions.
Latest figures showing 680,000 visitors went through the town centre park between April 2017 and April 2018.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s cabinet member for enterprise, development and housing, said: “The granting of planning permission for the new footbridge is another major milestone for the Taff Vale redevelopment.
“Planning permission for the wider scheme was granted just over a year ago, and fantastic progress has since been made on site with construction advancing very well, as the area continues to transform.
“Taff Vale is at the heart of the council’s major plans for Pontypridd and the wider Pontypridd Strategic Opportunity area – including a number of future housing, transport and infrastructure projects.
“The footbridge will provide an important pedestrian link from the Taff Vale development to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, and it is fantastic to see exciting artist’s impressions of what the bridge will look like once completed.
“The design has been carefully formulated so it is in keeping with Taff Vale, while also providing a new landmark for the town in its own right.
“It will increase accessibility to the park and the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty.”