Pontypridd Regeneration Project UPDATE (Information from Owen Smith)

Our local MP Mr Owen Smith really is getting behind the scenes of what's what with the regeneration of Pontypridd Town.

Please find below the latest below from our local MP, Owen Smith. This is great to see I must add.

"Dear all,

An update on the regeneration of Pontypridd, after the meeting you attended last month. Attached is a letter I sent to RCT’s Council Leader, Cllr. Russell Roberts regarding the meeting and a copy of the meeting report. As you will see from the letter, I have asked him to address all of the issues raised in the meeting – including assessing the past and future economic impact of traffic restrictions, and any alternatives that might be considered.

As promised at the meeting, I have been trying to meet with relevant parties to explore the issues you raised. Since we last met, I have met again with Jane Cook, the Director of Regeneration responsible for the work in Pontypridd and with RCTCBC’s Head of Strategy. I have also discussed the proposed regeneration plans with Jane Hutt AM, Minister for Economic Development in the Welsh Assembly Government and with Special Advisers. As you will see from the letter to Cllr Roberts, I am also due to meet with the Highways Director to discuss the transport and traffic-related issues raised in the meeting.  In all of these meetings I am stressing the vital importance of the immediate regeneration of Pontypridd, but also the pressing need to get it right for the long term. All parties accept that this process must entail full consultation with local residents and traders and are committed to improving communications in future.

I will write to you all again in the event of any news about the funding for the regeneration and about how consultation might be properly undertaken about the detail of the refurbishments – including the nature and scale of traffic restrictions. I will also write next month to invite you to a follow up meeting to discuss any developments and the next phase of the Town Centre Forum.

I hope this is helpful.

Yours faithfully,

Owen Smith MP"

Once and if Mr Owen Smith receives a response to this letter and if we do receive a copy we will let our readers from thebestof know.