Levelling Up fund bids for Porthcawl Grand Pavillion and Penprysg Railway Bridge

Bridgend County Borough Council have submitted applications for the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund for the re-development of the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl and the rebuilding of Penprysg railway bridge in Pencoed.

The Porthcawl Grand Pavilion project has been in development since 2016 a study on the options for enhancing and re-developing the Grade II Listed building was commissioned.

The plans aim to address the issues of risk to the building fabric that exist in the condition of the concrete structure, whilst also meeting the needs and aspirations of local people for extended and improved arts, heritage and library services.

The proposed new facilities include new function spaces at first floor, Esplanade level; new rooftop function and cafe spaces offering elevated sea-views across the Bristol Channel and new Studio theatre facilities.

It also looks to increase and improve welfare facilities including new changing places facility, plus business incubation or workshop spaces to street level with new office facilities.

The Penprysg railway bridge proposal has been a long-standing project, Bridgend County Borough Council have said, and is included in the current Local Development Plan.

This project will result in a new bridge on Penprysg road so that it can accommodate two-way traffic leading to the eventual closure of Pencoed’s railway level crossing. There will also be an all-new active travel bridge for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Pencoed level crossing is on the South Wales mainline railway route and when in operation there is a build-up of road traffic leading to significant congestion in the town centre.

The council say that the plans will also unlock potential development land located to the west of the current level crossing, and enable fresh investment and facilities to be introduced.

Cllr Neelo Farr, Bridgend Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “These projects can offer many benefits to residents all over the county borough. The Grand Pavilion is part of the fabric of Porthcawl and the Levelling Up programme presents a fantastic opportunity to preserve its status for generations to come, whilst improving facilities even further.

“The Penprysg railway bridge also has many positives and would help to improve traffic in the area as well as creating better routes for pedestrians and cyclists. The community will also benefit by fresh investment on the land unlocked by the work.

“We are also working on an additional bid for the Ogmore constituency, which we will look to submit in the next round of bidding.”

(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)