Works to demolish Brackla One car park are set to begin, making way for £80m Bridgend College development

As part of a master planning programme aiming to regenerate Bridgend town centre over the next ten years, the proposed Bridgend College development will be built on the former South Wales Police Station and Brackla One multi storey car park at Cheapside.

Set to open in September 2026, the campus will encompass two new buildings at Cheapside that will provide exceptional teaching and learning facilities, including a theatre, hair and beauty salons, recording and dance studios, design workshops and more.

The demolition of the police station took place in June last year, and the removal of the multi storey car park is set to begin at the end of October 2024, with Willmott Dixon chosen to build the £80m new town centre campus development.

The forthcoming works will mean alterations to some of the roads in the area to ensure that visitors can still access local businesses, including Aldi and those in Brackla Shopping Centre.

To ensure the safe demolition of the car park, the road in front of it will be closed – however, access to Aldi from Brackla Street will not be affected. The highway outside Aldi will become two way, and Aldi customers will need to turn right when leaving the store.

The lower section of Cheapside, serving Brackla Shopping Centre and businesses at the rear, will also become two-way, with access to the businesses left unaffected.

The existing bus stops at Cheapside will be relocated to Nolton Street by the Rhiw Shopping Centre.

Vivienne Buckley, Principal and CEO of Bridgend College, said: “We are excited about our aspirational plans to create a vibrant new town centre campus in the heart of Bridgend town. Our ambition is to create a net-zero carbon building, with twenty-first century learning and teaching facilities for post-16 education in Bridgend, with community benefits including a 200-seat theatre space, a coffee shop and flexible meeting spaces.

“This investment, part funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, will play a key role in the regeneration of Bridgend town centre, supporting local businesses and utilising public transport links into the town.”

Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said: “We are extremely excited to initiate the next phase of the plans for the new town centre campus.

“The location of the new campus promises to contribute significantly to the economy of Bridgend town centre – daily student and staff footfall in the town will most certainly boost local businesses.

“With its close proximity to Pen-y-Bont train station and bus station, there are considerable opportunities to promote active travel and the use of public transport to the site, helping us to reach our net-zero carbon target.

“In light of the roadworks information provided, we urge the public to plan their journeys to ensure that trips go smoothly, avoiding delays.

“Public safety is of paramount importance and the roadworks are vital in protecting shoppers and other visitors to the area, as well as the financial buoyancy of the local businesses.

“We would like to thank you in advance for your patience and cooperation.”

Image: Cheapside new access plan.