Latest news from Bridgend County Borough 29 July 2021

£17m road bridge could replace level crossing in Pencoed

Public consultation will take place this autumn over plans which could close and replace the Pencoed level crossing with a new £17m road bridge. Designed to tackle traffic congestion which is affecting the town’s local economy, environment and capacity for growth, the preferred option includes an active travel bridge which will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross from one side to the other. Following the public consultation, a detailed assessment will take place before a final decision is made. A steering group has been set up featuring community representatives, Chris Elmore MP, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, the council, Welsh Government, Network Rail, Transport for Wales and Pencoed Town Council – more details soon.

Welcome stewards to greet visitors

A team of visitor stewards have taken to town centres across Bridgend County Borough to welcome visitors this summer. Starting in time for the first weekend of the school summer holidays, the team will provide a friendly welcome to visitors while offering advice and information on nearby places to visit as well as answering any questions people may have on public transport, car parking, beach safety, public toilets and more. For more details, visit the council website.

Update on recycling delays

Further delays to some recycling collections have been confirmed after Kier staff were advised to self-isolate following potential exposure to a positive case of coronavirus. While refuse collections have been completed as normal, some parts of North and South Cornelly will have their recycling collected on Sunday 25 July instead. Arrangements are in place for all other delayed recycling collections from streets around Bridgend town centre, Coychurch Road, Tremains Road, Cefn Cribbwr, parts of Aberkenfig, Kenfig Hill, Tondu, Ogmore Vale, Pant yr Awel and Llangeinor to be picked up on Saturday 24 July.

Fresh new look for changing rooms

Bridgend Life Centre has unveiled new changing rooms for swimmers following a lockdown refurbishment. As well as refreshed changing rooms and an interactive wall for children, hydro cycles and hydro treadmills for therapeutic classes and activities have been installed. The project builds on the 2013 multi-million pound refurbishment of the county borough’s busiest swimming pool and has been supported by the council, Sport Wales and Halo Leisure.                                                                                                                         

Summer of Fun 2021

With the school term about to end, parents are being encouraged to find out what summer activities will be available for children aged eight to 11 as part of the Summer of Fun programme. Among the wide variety of activities on offer are free Active 4 Life sessions featuring sports, games, arts, creative sessions and more. The programme is supported by a range of partners including Welsh Government, the council, Halo Leisure and local town and community councils and you can find out more at the council website.

Summer challenge set for youngsters

Bridgend’s Young Ambassadors are challenging children and young people to do 21 things in Summer ’21 such as watching a sunrise, going on a long walk, dancing in the rain, trying a new recipe or writing a letter to make someone feel good. The Young Ambassadors programme sees secondary pupils working with the council’s Active Young People’s department to promote sport and physical activity as a way of supporting health and wellbeing. For more details, visit the council website.

Visit a walk-in vaccine clinic

Adults who have not yet had their first dose can walk into a community vaccination centre and receive it with no prior booking required. In Bridgend County Borough, the walk-in appointments are available at Ravens Court (CF31 4AP) between 9.15am-4.30pm. Anyone wishing to take advantage will need to bring along a form of ID such as a passport, driver’s licence or utility bill for proof of address. Bookings for second-dose appointments are continuing, and will run alongside the walk-in vaccinations as normal.

Why walk-in clinics only offer first dose

Following several enquiries about why you cannot get the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a walk-in centre, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has clarified that once you have received your first dose, you will be automatically contacted by letter or telephone with an appointment date for your second shot. The situation is being monitored closely and is subject to change, so look out for updates at the health board website.

Latest arrangements for mobile testing

Free testing for Covid-19 is available at the site of the former Revlon (Cosi) factory at Oakwood Drive in Maesteg (CF34 9TS) where it is operating as a drive-through facility between 9am-6pm. A walk-through testing centre also remains available at the Bowls Hall car park in Angel Street, Bridgend (CF31 4AH) between 2pm-8pm for people with symptoms. To use either of the sites, you must book an appointment by visiting the Welsh Government website or by calling 119. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call 1800 1119 to arrange an appointment.

Help save lives – donate blood

Blood donation sessions will take place at the Heronston Hotel on 27 and 28 July. You can find out how to take part at the Welsh Blood Service website.

Free car parking until August

Don’t forget that free car parking at several council-maintained town centre car parks remains available until the end of August. Drivers can park for free for up to three hours at the Rhiw multi-storey car park in Bridgend, and between noon and 3pm at the John Street car park in Porthcawl. Free parking also remains available at the Llynfi Road multi-storey in Maesteg and at the Penprysg Road car park in Pencoed.

Free Covid-19 tests

Free rapid Covid-19 self-test kits are available to collect from local pharmacies or can be delivered directly to your home. They have been made available following research that has revealed one in three people can carry coronavirus without feeling ill or showing any symptoms. For more information or to order a self-test kit, visit Welsh Government’s Covid-19 testing webpage.