WORK to demolish buildings in Merthyr Tydfil’s High Street will begin next week as part of plans to create a new walking link between the town centre and the railway station.
The council has confirmed the work to demolish three buildings in lower High Street will go ahead from Monday, March 24.
Using Welsh Government funding, contractor Pritchard’s will be demolishing 34-38 High Street – the former Red Cross, Peacocks and Moniques buildings to create room for a proposed public space and pedestrian thoroughfare, that will the council said will “significantly improve the link between the rail station, the lower end of High Street and the bus interchange”.
The council expects the demolition work will be complete by early spring, and the new scheme will follow later this year subject to planning consent and further Welsh Government funding.
The developments are part of the town centre master plan to improve connectivity between Merthyr Tydfil’s rail and bus stations “creating a more modern and convenient transport hub that links directly to the high street and improving the experience for both commuters and visitors”.
Demolition contractors have already secured the buildings and created a safe working zone in preparation for the works.
The planning application for the Merthyr Interchange Link said that, in their current condition, Peacocks and British Red Cross were of limited to low architectural value, ageing and maintained to a low standard.
It said the removal of these two buildings would allow the creation of improved connections between High Street and Masonic Street.
It also said Monique’s was not economically viable to save, adding there was extensive damage to key structural elements of the existing building and the aim is to re-create Monique’s Victorian style into a purpose-built corner plot which interacts with High Street and the newly-formed public space.
