Update on local mobile testing arrangements
Residents of Bridgend County Borough who are exhibiting symptoms of coronavirus are being encouraged to make use of local mobile coronavirus testing facilities.
Provided by Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, the county borough currently has two testing units in place – a drive-through mobile facility which is currently available between 9am-4pm at the Halo Swimming Pool in Pyle (CF33 6RP), and a walk-through testing facility which remains in place between 8am-8pm at the Bowls Hall car park off Bridgend Life Centre (CF31 4AH).
Booking for both facilities is essential and can be arranged by visiting the Welsh Government website or calling 119, while people with hearing or speech difficulties can book an appointment by calling 18001119.
The Leader, Cllr Huw David said: “The vaccination programme is ongoing and has already covered almost 36,800 local residents, but we are still encouraging anyone who is demonstrating symptoms of coronavirus – a persistent dry cough, high temperature of change in their sense of taste of smell – to arrange to have a test.
“The test is completely free and takes just a few minutes to complete, so please make sure you take advantage of these local facilities and help us as we combat the spread of Covid-19.
“We should all continue to keep a two-metre distance from others, wash our hands regularly, and wear a face covering where required.
“An online symptoms checker is available at the NHS 111 Wales website, so please remain alert, and don’t let your guard down against the virus.”
Last chance to have your say on Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan
There’s just one week left for residents to share their views on Bridgend County Borough Council’s ambitious plans for Bridgend town centre.
The Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan aims to deliver a series of major improvements over the next 10 years and includes proposals such as a new town square, moving Bridgend College into the heart of the town centre, transforming derelict and empty buildings into new shops and housing, improving vehicle access, relocating the police station, constructing an enhanced new railway station entrance, introducing new landscaping and much more.
Cllr Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “These ambitious plans have been designed to create improved areas of open space within the town centre, and to strike a new balance between the benefits of pedestrianisation and requirements for improved access.
“The aim is to increase the number of people who shop, work, live, visit and enjoy the town centre by using a ‘zoned’ approach for cultivating retail opportunities, creating new commercial and office space, introducing new public realm works and providing better transport facilities.
“I would encourage residents to ensure their voice is heard to help us shape these plans in order to transform and restore Bridgend town as the beating heart of the community and secure its long-term future.”
The consultation closes on Monday 1 March. For more information and to have your say, visit the council’s Bridgend Town Centre Masterplan webpage.
Don’t miss out on free PPE offer
People who drive taxis and private hire vehicles in Bridgend County Borough have until 5 March to take advantage of a special offer that will provide them with a PPE kit worth more than £70.
Part of an ongoing Welsh Government initiative designed to help keep licensed taxi and PHV drivers safe from the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the scheme provides a free PPE pack featuring six months’ worth of cleaning and hygiene products.
The packs are designed to ensure that vehicles are as safe as possible to use for both drivers and passengers while aligning taxis and private hire vehicles with measures that have already been introduced on other modes of public transport.
Each pack contains five litres of all-purpose sanitiser, a trigger bottle, six 500ml foam hand sanitisers, 100 folded cloths, two medical-grade washable face masks, a box of 50 disposable face coverings, and almost 500 detox wipes.
To find out more and apply to the scheme, visit the We Are Lyreco website the deadline of 5 March 2021.