Andy’s Thought Dump

Enterprise, events, and maybe even trams – it’s time to bring Merthyr’s high street back to life Every town has a heart — and Merthyr Tydfil’s is no exception. So far in this blog series, I’ve put forward ideas for the outskirts, the riverbanks, the railway, the mountains, and the parks. From Rhydycar West , to a theme park at Abercanaid , to the Cyfarthfa Ironworks showground , and a full transformation of Avenue de Clichy and the Taff Trail , my vision for a Leisure City Merthyr has been clear: To bring life, jobs, culture, and visitors back to Merthyr Tydfil. But now it’s time to address the heart of it all: the high street and shopping precinct . The Problem: Too Many Empty Shops It’s no secret — our town centre is struggling. Empty shops, footfall that comes and goes, and the usual doom spiral that affects so many British towns. But Merthyr doesn’t have to follow that script . We have: A railway and bus network that links us to Cardiff, the Valleys and beyond. Regular eve...

Parenting has never been easy. But lately, I’ve started to wonder: have some people just given up entirely? There’s a difference between bringing children up and letting them grow up wild, and right now, it feels like too many kids are being dragged up without discipline, accountability, or even a hint of respect for others. It’s not about being perfect. We all struggle, we all get it wrong sometimes. But when you refuse to even try to do the right thing - when you defend your child’s worst behaviour instead of confronting it - that’s when I worry. Recently, my own son, who has already been through far more than any child should due to early childhood trauma, was attacked. Not by some nameless group of troublemakers - though that would have been bad enough - but by a group of girls. One of them, heartbreakingly, was my own daughter. There’s no hiding from that. No sugarcoating it. As parents, my partner and I have dealt with it. Heavily. Because we will not tolerate bad behaviour,...

Reclaiming the Cyfarthfa Ironworks as a hub for culture, community, and celebration Merthyr Tydfil’s past is cast in iron – and nowhere is that more evident than the site of the once-mighty Cyfarthfa Ironworks . But for a site of such immense historical importance, it feels… forgotten. Tucked away and crumbling, it’s as if this great landmark of the Industrial Revolution is waiting for someone to care again. Well, I care. Deeply. And here’s an idea that could not only honour our past but fuel our future: Let’s turn the Cyfarthfa Ironworks site into a world-class showground and event venue. The Perfect Location Let’s look at what’s already there: A wide, flat site steeped in history and character Taff Trail access , linking directly to Cefn Viaduct and the world’s oldest surviving iron railway bridge A stone’s throw from Cyfarthfa Castle , Cyfarthfa Park , and the Joseph Parry Cottage Scenic views, industrial architecture, and tonnes of potential This is a site wi...

Reclaiming the river, one trolley at a time Merthyr Tydfil is full of potential. If you’ve been reading my blog, you’ll already know I’ve put forward ideas for Rhydycar West , a narrow gauge railway and cable car system , a theme park at Abercanaid , and a vibrant, pedestrianised riverside district along Avenue de Clichy. But today, I want to talk about something more immediate – something that’s right under our noses , or more accurately, right under our bridges : The River Taff, from Merthyr Fire Station to Abercanaid. The Problem: A River in Need Walk the riverbanks through Merthyr and you’ll see it. Shopping trolleys, bags, bottles, cans – all polluting a beautiful natural feature that should be a source of pride , not an eyesore. From the Fire Station down to Abercanaid , the River Taff is choked with litter, lost metal, and missed opportunity. It doesn’t have to be this way. It shouldn’t be this way. We have a chance to restore the Taff to something special – a cent...

Avenue de Clichy, the Taff Trail, and a bold new riverside vision for our hometown If you’ve been following my recent blog posts, you’ll know I’ve got big dreams for Merthyr – and they’re not just talk. I’ve written about the massive potential of Rhydycar West , the smart, scenic proposal for a narrow gauge rail link through the Abernant Tunnel, and my vision for a family theme park in Abercanaid . But now, it’s time to focus on the beating heart of it all: Merthyr town centre itself. Because for any of these big ideas to work – for Merthyr to really shine – our town needs love too . And one of the most exciting, realistic, and community-powered ideas I have is right here, running through the very centre of town: A transformed riverside district along Avenue de Clichy and the Taff Trail. The Location: Avenue de Clichy & the Taff The Taff River runs straight through Merthyr, and so does the Taff Trail – a national walking and cycling route that should be a crown jewel. Bu...

A bold new chapter in Merthyr’s journey – and a vision to make the Valleys thrive again Merthyr Tydfil was once a titan of industry. Our factories, foundries, and workshops put us on the map. We were a town of makers, engineers, and workers with world-class skills. And while time has moved on, the legacy – and loss – is still deeply felt. I remember it myself. I trained as an HGV mechanic at Triumph , a company that gave so much to Merthyr before it too disappeared like so many others – Hoover, Bluebird Toys, Kayser Bondor, Triang, Thorn , and more. These weren’t just jobs. They were foundations. And when they left, a part of our community identity went with them. But here’s the thing: Merthyr’s story doesn’t end with closure. A New Identity: Merthyr as a Leisure City We’ve had our era of coal, of steel, of manufacturing. Maybe the next chapter is one of leisure , tourism, and entertainment . With proposals like Rhydycar West , and natural draws like BikePark Wales , Zip World To...