Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:01 pm on 9 October 2018.
Well, first of all, Bridgend railway station's only just been refurbished, of course, as she will know, and very well. There was a real problem there with congestion when trains were coming in and passengers not being able to get through the gates, so that's very much welcome. In terms of the town itself, Vibrant and Viable Places has had an impact on the town. The redevelopment of the Rhiw car park into what is now a gym, a car park and residential accommodation—that will bring more people living in the town and so providing the footfall the town needs in the day and in the evening. We have the business improvement district as well that I know has been welcomed by town traders. Indeed, in fairness, there are a number of events now happening in the town centre that are drawing people in, and that's something I very much welcome.
She does mention the partial de-pedestrianisation. It is something, personally, that I support, but only that bit, because I remember what the town was like when there was traffic. I think properly done, it's possible to have a route through the town that doesn't cause danger to others, that doesn't let people linger either, in car parking spaces, but allows people to stop, collect and go—or stop, drop off and go—and I know that's something the council are keen to do and are looking to develop a bid in order to do so.