(Title Image: Trip Advisor)
The Welsh Government has approved £900,000 for two projects in Bridgend county relating to the Valleys Regional Park – a key initiative of the Welsh Government’s Valleys Task Force (pdf).
At Bryngarw Park near Brynmenyn, £500,000 will be used to improve the visitor experience, make access improvements, install solar panels and energy-efficient lighting, install an inclusive play area and make habitat improvements – with tree-planting and a new pond mentioned.
At Parc Slip Nature Reserve, £400,000 will be used to create a community orchard and wild herb garden, green-roofed cycle shelters, installation of electric car and e-bike charging points and to buy an electric buggy for volunteers and staff to get around the site and improve accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility. Some of the money will also be used to support events at the reserve.
Awen Cultural Trust and the Wildlife Trust will deliver the improvements at Bryngarw and Parc Slip respectively and will also take on responsibility for any potential over-spends (should that happen) with possible match-funding by Bridgend Council – but as things stand, there’ll be no costs to the council.