Image Source: Google Earth (taken November 2022)

This site is best viewed in landscape mode on smartphones.

Oggy Bloggy Ogwr doesn’t receive any subsidy and isn’t funded by the BBC. If you like what I’m doing here and think this work is important in keeping locals informed of what’s happening in Bridgend, consider a donation. One-off or monthly; as little or as much as you want. Click the links below, or full details are available here.

Bridgend Council’s Cabinet has received a report on a public consultation held earlier this year to gather views on improving access to Bridgend town centre (pdf).

Over 750 responses were received, though these were skewed towards over-55s and women.

What did the consultation find?

A majority support the proposed measures. These include extended loading hours, providing additional disabled parking spaces and the principle of re-opening Queen Street, Dunraven Place and Market Street to one-way traffic.
Overall views were split on cycling in pedestrianised areas, though 56% agreed with allowing it in some form.
People with hearing, sight and physical disabilities were opposed to allowing cycling in pedestrianised areas, but they generally agreed with the other proposals.
47% supported improved cycle parking facilities, with 29% being unsure.
Improving the mix of shops and improving facilities (i.e. public toilets) were considered more important than improving access to Bridgend town centre.

Subject to Cabinet approval, an experimental traffic order will be drafted by officers, which will last for 18 months.

The proposed experimental traffic order

Loading and unloading hours will be extended to 11 am and will resume at the earlier time of 4 pm, with “extra flexibility for emergencies and events”.
Cycling will be allowed in pedestrianised areas (subject to a safety assessment).
Taxi bays on Derwen Road (pictured) will be converted to parking spaces for blue badge holders.

This is expected to cost just over £102,000. £90,000 of this has been secured from Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

While it isn’t a full depedestrianisation, a meeting of Bridgend Council in January 2025 supported the principle of improved access to the town centre via all methods of transport.

A future “Phase Two” could see some pedestrianised streets re-opened to traffic, but there are no firm plans to do so (yet).