Pontypool town centre and the surrounding areas of Garndiffaith and Trevethin are set to benefit from £10m worth of new investment designed to regenerate communities and improve employment prospects for local people.

Support from the European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Assembly Government, Torfaen County Borough Council and other public and private sector organisations will be combined to drive forward projects to attract jobs, provide training opportunities and breathe new life into vacant and run-down buildings in the town.

Welcoming the announcement, Welsh Labour MEP, DEREK VAUGHAN, said:

“The money will make a real difference to the communities of Pontypool, Garndiffaith and Trevethin and give them a new lease of life.”

“By making the town centre more attractive to businesses and visitors and providing extra capacity for commercial investment by bringing neglected buildings back into use, this is a great chance to leverage more jobs into the area.”

“There will also be many new social, economic and environmental improvements as a result of this funding and with the economic climate as difficult as it is at the moment, this announcement could not have come at a better time.”

Projects proposed under the regeneration scheme include:

• Redevelopment of the Pontypool Indoor Market as well as new CCTV and WIFI
• Restoration of vacant and run-down buildings in the town centre and reopening of them for commercial, training and community purposes
• Parking and environmental improvements at the Life Station Community Centre and the Neighbourhood Centre in Trevethin
• Refurbishment of the Corn Bin Centre in Garndiffaith to provide training opportunities for local people
• New and enhanced walking and cycling routes into Pontypool Town Centre, connecting district and neighbourhood centres and other key locations 

- Wednesday, 23 March 2011 -