Covid-19 update from Bridgend County Borough

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, Bridgend County Borough Council is focusing its resources on providing essential services and protecting vulnerable residents. The following information provides a summary of latest developments.

Pandemic boost for active travel
Local walking and cycling routes have received a £620,000 boost from Welsh Government. The funding will be used to improve local routes and more than 150 tactile crossing points as well as establishing a temporary 2.5km active travel route between Coychurch Roundabout and Bridgend town centre. This will include Kingsway Avenue on the Bridgend Industrial Estate, York Road and Cowbridge Road and will be closely monitored with the option of developing it into a permanent route. It follows the completion of a new £1.5m safe pedestrian and cycle route linking both Pencoed and Coychurch to Bridgend - watch out for more details soon.

Additional travel routes
The council is also awaiting the outcome of a £4m active travel package it submitted in February for 2020/21 covering improvements between Bridgend and Pencoed, an active travel route between Pyle and Porthcawl, and a new route between Bridgend and the Bridgend Designer Outlet.

Support for shops to reopen
Shops in Bridgend County Borough are being provided with further advice on reopening safely. Retailers must consider how people can queue outside their premises and maintain social distancing, and manage this e.g. by placing two-metre space markers, preferably at eye-level, along the frontage of their shop, taking care not to impact on any adjoining properties. As any markers placed on the highway will remain the liability of the proprietor, care must be taken to ensure that they will not cause a slip or trip hazard to the public, are temporary in nature and are made from a suitably-textured product. You can check on the latest developments by visiting the new online recourse at the council’s website.

Off-road bike warning
Following a recent operation in the Garw Valley, residents are being reminded that it is illegal to ride an off-road motorbike in public open spaces such as parks, play areas or on pavements. The council is working alongside South Wales Police to tackle anti-social behaviour during the pandemic, and residents can support this by reporting sightings of off-road motorbiking to the 101 number or by emailing publicservicecentre@south-wales.pnn.police.uk. The police have the power to seize vehicles that are used inappropriately, and the penalties for such an offence include fines or a court appearance.

Don’t suffer in silence
A range of emergency support continues to be available throughout the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. Domestic violence support offered by the Calan DVS Assia Suite is focusing mainly on telephone contact, with personal appointments taking place where it is safe to do so. Refuge accommodation is continuing, as is on-call support – you can access help or find out more by calling 01656 815919 or emailing assia@calandvs.org.uk. The Bridgend Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub is continuing to provide safeguarding services for vulnerable children and adults. You can report concerns about a child to 01656 642320 or mashcentra@bridgend.gov.uk. Concerns about adults can be directed to 01656 642477 or adultsafeguardingMASH@bridgend.gov.uk, and you can visit the MASH page for more information.

Accessing foodbanks
You can keep up to date with details of which foodbanks are open and how they can be accessed during the ongoing outbreak by visiting the Bridgend Foodbank website or checking their social media pages.

Social care opportunities
More people are being sought to support the county borough’s most vulnerable residents. A number of employment opportunities are available, and anyone who has previously worked in social care or who has transferable skills is invited to apply. A fast-tracked application process and rapid refresher training course are available. To apply or find out more, visit the job pages at the council’s website.      

Contacting the council
The Customer Service Centre at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend remains closed to the public. Residents are asked to use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, or to email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643643.