Another question at this month’s full council meeting came from Cllr. Steven Bletsoe (Ind, Bridgend Central).
Despite support at the time by Cabinet and Bridgend town centre traders, proposals to partially de-pedestrianise the town centre dating back to 2016 have not progressed.
Cllr. Bletsoe said there may be an assumption that people will not visit the town centre by car, but you only have to look at full out-of-town car parks to realise this isn’t true.
In reply, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, Cllr. Rhys Goode (Lab, Nantymoel), said he has spent a lot of time on de-pedestrianisation, but didn’t agree that full de-pedestrianisation was in the town centre’s best interests.
However, a review of access is needed. A commissioned report is looking at three options – including cutting the number of hours the town centre is closed to vehicle access. This will need to be accompanied by a safety audit – though finding funding for that will be difficult.
Cllr. Goode didn’t agree that there was any detriment to driving into the town centre as there were around 700 parking spaces available.
New Newport Market inspiring Bridgend; council awaiting final report in Indoor Market concrete
In a separate question, Cllr. Martin Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) asked for an update on Bridgend Indoor Market – which was closed in September 2023 due to the use of aerated concrete (RAAC) in the construction of its roof during the 1970s.
While the new “market hall” in the Rhiw Centre acts as “a lifeboat”, businesses couldn’t stay on a lifeboat forever.
Having recently visited the new Newport Market (pictured above), Cllr. Goode was impressed and asked questions on how it was delivered – which was via a partnership funded by a very long-term loan and commercial interests. It was something he would like to see replicated in Bridgend.
He was, however, pleased with how successful the temporary market hall has been, being “more vibrant and welcoming” than the Indoor Market.
Cllr. Goode was still awaiting a final report on the RAAC issue and asked officers about this “weekly”. Until that report is published, no firm answers can be given on the future of the Indoor Market yet.
