The latest phase in the regeneration of Bargoed town centre has begun.
Councillor Ron Davies, Caerphilly Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, has welcomed the beginning of work on the £8.3m town centre improvement scheme.
He said: “The regeneration of Bargoed is our number one priority and the millions of pounds of public investment now underway will transform the face of the town.
“We are also determined to bring the current negotiations for a major supermarket to a successful conclusion and that will give the final, major boost the town centre has been waiting for for many years.”
Work has also started on the prestigious transformation of the Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel into the town’s new library.
Contractors Allan Griffith have started Phase 1 of the improvement works which are centred on the creation of a new bus station at the northern end of the town centre.
This first phase includes a flight of steps from the bus station up to High Street, where two shop units are being demolished and a small public square formed in their place. The works also include new public toilets, bus shelters and a pedestrian link to the Hanbury Road car park to the south.
Phase 1 is scheduled to be completed in April 2011 and will be followed by further phases to enhance High Street and Hanbury Road.
The Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel, which is a Grade II* listed building, is being converted to a library by contractors Carter Lauren under the supervision of United Welsh Housing Association.
The scheme, which will also include a worship space for the chapel congregation in the lower floor, is scheduled for completion in September 2011.
Meanwhile negotiations on the Bargoed Retail Development Plateau continue to take place between developers Simons and Morrisons, the main tenant for the scheme, the council and Welsh Assembley Government.
Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert also welcomed the start of the regeneration.
He said: “I am very pleased that the regeneration of Bargoed town centre is now underway.
“The redevelopment of the bus station and Hanbury Road Baptist Chapel are just two parts of this important strategy.
“Coupled with the recent announcements of grants for Bargoed Library and the McDonnell Road Post Office, this news is very much welcomed.
“It’s important that the discussions to bring a Morrison’s store to the Bargoed Retail Development Plateau are now brought to a successful conclusion.
“This is a very good example of how things get done when the Welsh Government and the County Borough Council work together.”
For all the latest news about Bargoed town centre visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/bargoedsbigidea
I'm very pleased with the developments of bargoed with a fantastic new library and morrisons which is yet to come, i would also really like to see a multi screen cinema for the town, as i feel that this will indeed attract people to the area as well as a majer supermarket chain and will ofcouse be a great boost for the whole town and other traders.