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...

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...

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...

Connecting Rhydycar West to Zip World & BikePark Wales – One Track at a Time If we’re going to Make Merthyr Great Again , we need to think not just big, but smart. In my last post, I shared my excitement about the proposed Rhydycar West development – a game-changer for Merthyr and all of Wales. But big attractions on their own aren’t enough. We need to think about how people get there , and how we connect all the amazing things we already have. That’s why I want to put forward an idea that I believe could be transformative – and totally achievable with vision and backing. The Idea: A Narrow Gauge Rail Link Through the Merthyr–Abernant Tunnel The Merthyr to Abernant tunnel – once a vital lifeline of industry – has been sitting in darkness for decades. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. I’m proposing a narrow gauge railway that would run through the tunnel, creating a direct and scenic link between Rhydycar West in Merthyr Tydfil and Hirwaun – where it could connect with ...