At this month’s full council meeting, Cllr. Tim Wood (Ind, Bridgend Central) asked for an update on long-standing proposals – which to date have never got off the drawing board – to partially de-pedestrianise Bridgend town centre.
Cllr. Wood argued that as it’s been seven years since the first consultation “it was time to do what residents want”. He wanted assurances that the project would go ahead.
Both the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr. Neelo Farr (Lab, Porthcawl East Central) and the Chief Executive, Mark Shephard, pointed to the written response which set out the council’s position.
In short, there are barriers facing the project – namely changes to Welsh and UK government policies to prioritise walking and cycling. This will make it more difficult to access funding for depedestrianisation now than in 2016.
Traffic orders covering Bridgend town centre have been reviewed and three options are being considered further. It’s expected a report on those options will be ready by Summer 2023.
Bollard operators “refused to allow car into town” to take person to hospital
In a follow-up question, Cllr. Steven Bletsoe (Ind, Bridgend Central) raised a recent medical emergency in the town centre where a member of the public fell ill. Having faced a potential 8-hour wait for an ambulance, relatives were told to take the person by car to hospital.
Operators refused to lower bollard to allow the car into town. This was the second time it’s happened in three months. Cllr. Bletsoe asked for the matter to be addressed urgently before something serious happens.
The Council Leader promised to take it up with council officials and South Wales Police.
