Andy’s Thought Dump

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 ...