The £11.9 million regeneration programme of Newbridge town is set to begin.
Work is due to begin in late January on the EU-backed scheme aimed at making Newbridge a more attractive place for residents, shoppers and business.
The wide-ranging works will see improvements to pavements, roads and public spaces.
Cllr Ron Davies, cabinet member for regeneration and planning said: “The council is working hard to regenerate communities across the county borough with a particular emphasis on town centre improvements. It’s great to see Newbridge is benefitting from this commitment.”
The council is also working with the Trustees of the Celynen Collieries Institute and Memorial Hall as work to restore the historic and much-loved buildings.
After an eight-year battle, funding was finally secured last year for work to begin. The work will see the buildings restored to their former glory at the heart of the local community.
Howard Stone, chair of the Trustees said: “This is the final step in what has been an eight-year marathon. Huge thanks must be given to all those who have kept the belief that what was once a dream will now become a reality. It will be lovely to see a modern facility brought into use for the benefit of the whole community in the centre of town.”
The town centre and Institute Memo works are the next stage in the regeneration of Newbridge and will be delivered by two separate contractors.
Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd will carry out the improvements to the town centre. The company has previously worked in Newbridge on the landmark Calzaghe Bridge and has successfully delivered the first two phases of the Bargoed Regeneration Programme.
Seddon Construction Ltd will deliver the refurbishment of the Institute Building.
The Regeneration Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, Welsh Government’s Targeted Match Fund, Heritage Lottery, Arts Council for Wales together with significant contributions from the council and community organisations, among others.