Reimagining the River: Breathing Life into Merthyr Town Centre

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. But what do most people see today? Faded public space, tired paving, too many cars, and underused potential.

On one side, you’ve got Avenue de Clichy. On the other, you’ve got the area between Rhydycar and the College – green space, yes, but underloved and often empty. It’s time to change that.

The Vision: A Vibrant, Pedestrianised Riverfront

Here’s what I’m proposing:

  • Pedestrianise the zone between Rhydycar and the College (across from Avenue de Clichy) to create a safe, open, car-free leisure space.

  • Safely remove and replant existing trees, opening up the riverbank while respecting nature.

  • Expose more of the river, lighting up the walls with tasteful LED lighting to make the river shine at night.

  • Add a line of converted shipping containers, turned into bars, cafes, indie shops, and creative spaces – just like you see in places like Cardiff Bay, Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, or parts of London.

  • Install solar-lit palm trees on both sides of the river, planted by local schoolchildren and community groups – something I’d be proud to help grow myself.

  • Use a service road at the rear for deliveries, so the pedestrian zone stays peaceful and people-focused.

  • Build in rest areas, art, greenery, and spots for live music or buskers, right along the Taff Trail – making it a must-stop highlight for walkers and cyclists.

This isn’t fantasy. This is happening in towns across the UK. Merthyr can and should be one of them.

Why This Matters

  • It reconnects the town with the river.

  • It draws people into the centre, supporting shops and creating new businesses.

  • It adds life and light to a space that too often feels grey and empty.

  • It’s driven by locals, not outside developers.

  • It creates pride – in our town, our young people, and our natural beauty.

It also links directly to the vision I’ve already laid out. Imagine a tourist arriving via Rhydycar West, taking the scenic narrow gauge rail or even the cable car to the theme park in Abercanaid – and then heading into town via the beautifully lit riverside trail, stopping for food, drinks, and live music right on the water.

This is how you build a destination, not just an attraction.

Community-Led, Proudly Merthyr

I don’t want this done by suits in London. I want this done with and for the people of Merthyr.

Let our children grow the palm trees. Let our local traders run the bars and cafes. Let our artists, builders, and thinkers lead the way. Let this be a space of community pride, not corporate takeover.

I don’t have all the answers. But I do have a heart full of hope – and a hometown that deserves more than it’s had for far too long.

Make Merthyr Great Again – One Idea at a Time

This is just the next piece of the puzzle. With Rhydycar West, a narrow gauge link, a family theme park, and now a vibrant riverside zone, we’re starting to build a complete vision.

A Merthyr that’s welcoming, walkable, exciting, creative, and full of life.
A Merthyr that isn’t just surviving – it’s thriving.
And this is only the beginning.


River Walk - Merthyr Tydfil


Green line - Palm Trees only
Red Line - Palm trees & converted containers




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