(Title Image: Bridgend & Porthcawl Gem)
I thought it was worth bringing together some more of the recent coronavirus-related announcements for Bridgend.
Rubbish collections & tips
Household waste collections (blue bag/black bags and kerbside recycling) are continuing as normal. Though households are encourage to double-bag any waste which may be contaminated by the virus (i.e. tissues) and leave it aside for three days before putting it in with the blue/black bag waste.
All community recycling centres/tips (Tythegston, Brynmenyn, Maesteg) will remain closed until May 26th 2020. There’s more detail on how the tips will work.
Garden waste collections have restarted.
As of 30th March, bulky waste collections and the delivery of new blue bags and food waste bags have restarted but are subject to change at short notice. Households can use black bags “or a similar alternative” if needed.
Don’t listen to any rumours – the two (blue/black) bag limit remains in force.
Big changes to bus services
In line with train companies (more information here), bus companies serving Bridgend county are switching to reduced services for the time being.
Easyway has already withdrawn their services, while First Cymru will switch to a new timetable from 29th March 2020. It’s best to check with the bus operator before travelling.
The following services will be completely withdrawn and won’t run until further notice (operator in brackets):
- X3 – Maesteg to Swansea (First)
- X4 – Bridgend to Neath via Pyle (First)
- X10 – Swansea to Cardiff via The Pines (First)
- 16 – Bridgend to Bettws (Easyway)
- 49 – Bridgend to Oaklands Road, Broadlands, Ystrad Fawr (Easyway); passengers should use services travelling along Park Street
- 62 – Bridgend to Pencoed via Brackla (First)
- 64 – Bridgend to Talbot Green via Brackla and Pencoed (First)
- 66 – Bridgend to Heol-y-Cyw via Brackla and Pencoed (First)
- 68 & 69 – Cefn Glas Circular (First)
- 71 – Bridgend to Cymmer (First)
- 77 – Bridgend to Bettws via Wildmill (First)
- 79 – Blaencaerau to Turberville via Maesteg (First)
- 81 – Bridgend to Pen-y-Fai, Brackla (Easyway)
The following services are still running but on reduced hours:
First Cymru Bridgend area timetable (for running services) – pdf
- X1 – Margam to Swansea (First); running hourly – the pdf timetable says it’s not running to and from Bridgend, best to check ahead
- X2 – Porthcawl to Cardiff via Bridgend and Cowbridge (First); running hourly
- 63 – Bridgend to Porthcawl via Pyle (First); running hourly
- 65 – Bridgend to Heol-y-Cyw (First); running three services on weekdays from 18th May 2020
- 70 – Bridgend to Cymmer (First); running hourly
- 73 – Bridgend to Blaengarw via Bettws (First); running every two hours
- 74 – Bridgend to Nantymoel (First); running every two hours, hourly in the evening
- 76 – Bridgend to Bettws (First); running three services on weekdays from 18th May 2020
- 172 – Bridgend to Aberdare (Stagecoach); running every two hours, no Sunday service – pdf
- 303/304 – Bridgend to Llantwit Major and sometimes Barry (NAT); unchanged, though some later services may be cancelled – link
- 404 – Bridgend to Pontypridd (NAT); unchanged – link
Coychurch Crematorium mourners limited to just 10; council-run cemeteries and crematorium grounds re-open (as of 28th April 2020)
Funerals at Coychurch Crematorium will be restricted to just 10 mourners – chosen by funeral directors – until further notice.
Following a temporary closure, cemeteries and crematorium grounds re-opened to the public on 28th April 2020.
“It is imperative we think about the welfare of all those attending services and staff, the last thing anyone wants is to get infected while at a funeral service. To ensure that people affected by these changes and all issues relating to coronavirus are able to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed away, the council will work with funeral directors to seek alternative options.”
– Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr. Richard Young (Lab, Pendre)
Consideration is being given to holding a larger memorial service later in the year.
Deferments for council tax payments
Anyone facing difficulties paying their council tax bill can defer their payments. People who pay in 10 instalments can delay their April and May 2020 instalments until February and March 2021 or choose to pay over 12 months instead.
Also, BCBC is encouraging households who may be eligible for a council tax reduction to consider applying for one (often between 25-100% depending on circumstances) – more details on eligibility here.
Bridgend Market closed until further notice
All stalls in Bridgend Market are now closed. Stall-holders will have a three-month rent-free period.
Two stalls remain open at Maesteg (outdoor) Market but the situation is reportedly being “reviewed daily”.
RNLI withdraws seasonal lifeguard patrols Seasonal lifeguards were reintroduced w/c 22nd June 2020
Normally, this would be the start of the seasonal lifeguard patrols at beaches in Porthcawl, but for obvious reasons, the RNLI has decided to postpone starting the service for the time being.
Bridgend Council has warned everyone deciding to visit beaches or the coast to take extra care – though it’s probably best not to go at all.