Posted on Thursday 10th May 2012
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s multi-million-pound Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) in Rhydyfelin is already delivering local benefits, scoring improvements for the local football club.
Over £3m funding from the Welsh Government’s Flood Risk Management Grant, European Regional Development Fund and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will allow delivery of the FAS scheme to address the long-standing flooding problem in the Glyntaf Farm Estate and Sycamore Street areas, which has seen some 100 homes flooded in the last decade.
As part of the multi-million-pound scheme, contractor Costain has set up home at Rhydyfelin Football Club’s Dog Track playing field and pavilion in Fairfield Lane, Rhydyfelin.
As a thanks for the use of the pavilion, Costain is investing the money it would have spent on on-site accommodation back into Rhydyfelin FC, refurbishing the run-down clubhouse to improve facilities for the benefit of the community.
Nigel Brinn, Service Director for Highways, Transportation and Strategic Projects said: “We are delighted to hear that the FAS has led to the football club receiving some much needed help to improve the facilities for the whole community to enjoy.
“This part of Rhydyfelin has suffered from flooding for many years and we are really pleased to see that this important project has led to even more benefits to the area.
“On behalf of the project team I would like to thank everybody who has assisted them to date and continues to provide essential local information which will help deliver this challenging project.”
Joe Gibson, Chairman of Rhydyfelin FC added: “For many years we have been looking to acquire a dedicated pitch and club house for the club and with the help of the local councillors and a great deal of public support we were able to acquire a 25 year lease for the Dog Track playing field and Pavilion. But the lease is only the first part of a much bigger project in bringing a derelict pavilion back into use not only for football but also to support other community events.”
RCT Homes and Meadow Prospect are also supporting the refurbishment and will deliver the works as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility agenda, using a number of their sub-contractors to support the works.
Tracey Cooke, spokeswoman for RCT Homes, added: “This is a unique project with support coming from many local companies and organisations to refurbish the pavilion which was in a poor state of repair and a significant local eyesore. The intention is to provide an excellent community facility and a partnership community legacy in a relatively socially deprived area. The broad partnership includes Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council, Communities First, Costain, RCT Homes, Meadow Prospect, Solar Windows, Bullock Construction, Carpets and Carpets, Richmond Kitchens, Bouchard and Jones plumbing contractors, Quicksons painting contractors, Keyline Building Merchants and the University of Glamorgan with students from the media department filming and interviewing key personnel involved with the project.”
Lynsey Holley-Matthews of Meadow Prospect which is the regeneration and charity arm of RCT Homes said, “This is a really exciting project with many local businesses coming together to provide a much needed facility in the heart of Rhydyfelin. There is a great deal of work to be done but at the outset it was important to gain public support. A meeting was held with local residents in Fairfield Lane before Costain submitted an application for temporary planning permission to use the pavilion and the field. Unanimous support from the residents meant that temporary planning was approved and the project was off and running.”
Work on the pavilion is already underway. Costain has moved in to the site and the partnership of local companies has delivered a total electrical refit, new plumbing refit, new partition walls, new UPVC windows, roof repairs, new internal doors, and a newly fitted kitchen. A large internal section of the building has also been painted.
Brian Greaves, Community Relations Manager for Costain said, “In January we secured the contract from the local authority to deliver the Rhydyfelin Flood Alleviation Scheme and were looking for site office and a small compound to support our work. We met with RCT Homes and Meadow Prospect on another matter and the football project was raised. Within a matter of days an agreement was reached with the club and the wheels were in motion”.
To build on the success of the refurbishment works a number of companies, including the local authority are planning to hold the Business in the Community ‘Give and Gain’ day on the site on Friday 18th May 2012. The give and gain day will look to address the front facade of the building.
The FAS will provide improved flood protection to around 280 residential properties, Heol y Celyn Primary School as well as local roads and the Taff Trail cycle route.
The Council estimates that flooding occurs on average about once every four years, with the most recent flood taking place in 2009.
The scheme signage which has now been placed in and around the area features lucky competition winner Braiden Williams’ unique logo design. Braiden and his school mates from Heol y celyn Primary School, Rhydyfelin, were asked to design a logo that will feature on all the schemes literature and signage.
Braiden’s design was chosen as it clearly depicted what the scheme is about – Stop the Flooding and scooped him first prize and can now be seen on publicity materials.
For further information on the scheme call 01443 827700.