RCT Council has announced that the redevelopment of the Pontypridd bingo hall site is now open to the public, and the new bus bays at Sardis Road will be brought into use from Saturday!
Since the construction phase started in February 2024, work has been ongoing by the current contractors to redevelop the former bingo hall and Angharad’s Nightclub site into a vibrant and quality space – to act as a clear arrival point for visitors at the southern end of the town centre. The area has been fitted with clear signage, visitor information, seating areas, and spaces of greenery and planting.
All traffic management on Sardis Road has now been removed.
The bus bays are positioned on the site’s boundary with A4054 Sardis Road, opposite Pontypridd Railway Station. The development has enhanced this area of the town centre and supported the continued regeneration of Pontypridd, which is bucking the national trend in terms of increasing footfall and is well below the national trend for empty shops.
The bus bays are now substantially complete, and the new facility will be opened from Saturday, August 3. In the first instance, it will be used exclusively for buses operating the Park and Ride service for the National Eisteddfod of Wales between August 3-10.
Some finishing works will be completed at a future date, while a permanent kiosk serving food and drinks will also open at the site in the future.
Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Prosperity, said: “It’s excellent news that this very prominent site in the heart of Pontypridd has been completed in time for the start of the National Eisteddfod on August 3. It has been transformed from the derelict buildings that stood there, opening it up to create an inviting and welcoming gateway at the southern end of the town, while taking advantage of the natural light that was exposed following demolition works.
“The proposal to create a modern public realm was one of the best-supported ideas when the Council consulted residents on how best to redevelop this site. It will also complement the future development plans for the former Marks and Spencer site into a ‘riverside plaza’ – with both forming an important part of the Southern Gateway vision within our Pontypridd Placemaking Plan.
“The bus bays element will be utilised by the dedicated Park and Ride service for the Eisteddfod, starting early on Saturday morning. The new bays are well positioned to serve Pontypridd Railway Station and promote integrated public transport journeys – and will complement an increase in hourly rail services arriving and departing the town, that will be delivered by the South Wales Metro.”
Both elements of the scheme received important external funding, secured by the Council. The public realm is being delivered via Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, while the bus bays received funding from the Regional Transport Fund.
