A MULTI-million-pound scheme to transform the retail heart of Pontypool town centre and bring more jobs is to start next week.

The work, which is part of a package of £10m regeneration measures planned for the town and the wider Pontypool area, will take place in three phases.

Phase one starts on Wednesday, June 6, and it is anticipated that the final phase will be completed in November.

The work will include repaving of the area, newstreet lighting and street furniture, and making the area more accessible for shoppers.

Rosemary Lane car park will be closed throughout the duration of the works, to be used as a site compound by the contractor.

Torfaen council is currently investigating a number of alternative sites that could be opened up and used for public parking during the works, which will hopefully ease the pressures of parking within the town centre.

Executive member for neighbourhood services, Cllr John Cunningham, said: “Staff have put a lot of work into the planning of this project to transform Pontypool town centre.

“There will obviously be some disruption throughout a project of this scale and we will be doing everything we can to keep traders, shoppers and residents informed.”

Torfaen council has received £1.2 million to improve these parts of the town and make it easier and safer to move around.

The leader of Torfaen council, Cllr Bob Wellington, said: “This is an exciting time in Pontypool’s history. This project will improve the attractiveness and viability of Pontypool town centre and the surrounding areas. This will encourage new businesses to come to Pontypool, which will create more jobs.”

The work is part of the £10 million Pontypool Settlement Area project, supported by the EU’s Convergence European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

The package includes funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Targeted Match Fund and Heads of the Valleys programme and is supported by Torfaen council’s own resources. It has also been supported by the Pontypool Regeneration Partnership.

Torfaen council website, www.torfaen.gov.uk, will include up-to-the-minute information.

● DROP-IN sessions will be held at the indoor market every Wednesday, 10.30am- 1pm, and Friday, 1pm-3pm, for traders, shoppers and residents to raise any issues, or to view plans.