Cleaning up after Storm Eunice
Crews from Bridgend County Borough Council have been out since the early hours of Friday morning, working to keep roads open and homes, people and property safe during Storm Eunice. With the red weather warning from the Met Office now moving to an amber alert, the severe winds are continuing to causing a number of problems throughout the county borough. Schools, libraries, leisure centres and day centres for adults were all closed while the storm was underway, but are now open again as normal.
Damage to roofs
Numerous buildings experienced damage to their roofs, including the Porthcawl Hotel in John Street and homes in areas such as Ffald Road in Pyle. Working alongside South Wales Police and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, a number of temporary road closures were set up to help keep people safe, including at John Street in Porthcawl which was closed due to falling roof tiles.
Bridgend’s Queen Street closed
In Bridgend town centre, a temporary road closure remains in place along Queen Street while structural engineers work to make the roof of a commercial property safe. New signage is being erected, and Saturday’s town centre deliveries will be re-routed through Caroline Street – drivers are being urged to follow the route carefully, and to exercise care
Evanstown Community Centre
Part of the felt roof covering at Evanstown Community Centre came loose during the high winds. With no further signs that it will become a risk to the public or property at this time, contractors have been arranged to work on the premises over the course of the weekend.
Fallen trees
Crews are continuing to respond to calls about fallen trees, many of them in areas such as Merthyr Mawr Road in Bridgend town, Garth Road in Maesteg and on the Bwlch A4061 mountain road. The A4063 near the WEPA Paper Mills was temporarily closed after a tree fell and brought down power cables. The Bwlch A4061 mountain road was also closed late on Thursday evening due to the high winds, but will reopen at 7pm on Friday night. The New Inn road bridge at Merthyr Mawr remains closed until further notice.
Flooding averted
More than 3,500 sandbags were prepared in anticipation of the storm. These were supplied to householders where needed, including just under 800 which were deployed in Beach Road and West Drive in Porthcawl to prevent storm water from overtopping sea defences and reaching houses. Although there were concerns over a potential ‘storm surge’ event during high tide, no water entered any of the properties, and workers are now clearing away any debris deposited by the large waves.
Recycling and waste collection
Kier have confirmed that residents whose recycling and waste could not be collected on Friday should store their recycling until their next scheduled collection day, and to use open carrier bags if necessary for any excess materials. Refuse and absorbent hygiene product bags will be collected on Saturday 26 February, and all collections will return to their normal timetable from Monday onwards. Community recycling centres will also reopen on Saturday 19 February, and all bookings from Friday will be honoured.
Linc Cymru purchases Sunnyside House in Bridgend
Housing provider Linc Cymru has purchased Sunnyside House, a two-storey building previously used as office space by Bridgend County Borough Council. Based opposite the ongoing Sunnyside Wellness Village development and with more than 1,500 households currently on the council’s housing waiting list, Linc Cymru intends to use the site to provide more homes for the area. More details will be announced soon.
Funding advice day 2022
The Pencoed campus of Bridgend College will host a funding advice day on Friday 25 February between 10am-12noon. Featuring representatives from BAVO, Arts Council of Wales, Heritage Fund, Community Fund, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Bridgend County Borough Council, Welsh Government and more, the event is designed to let people know about different sources of funding that are available. To find out more, call 01656 860034 or register to attend by emailing the office of chris.elmore.mp@parliament.uk
Don’t miss winter fuel support deadline
Eligible households who have not already been contacted by the council have until 28 February to apply for help to face rising energy bills as part of Welsh Government’s Household Support Fund. The fund, which is providing £51m of targeted support for families and the most vulnerable in society, is offering a £200 payment to each eligible household and additional applications can be made through the council’s ‘My Account’ facility.
One week left for full-time nursery admissions
The deadline for submitting an application for full-time nursery in September 2022 expires at 4pm on Friday 25 March, with notifications due by 16 May. People interested in part-time nursery places in January or April 2023 have until 4pm on Friday 27 August to apply, and will be notified by 31 October. To apply sign up for the free My Account service at the council’s website.
Give blood on 21 February
Donor appointments are still available on 21 February with the Welsh Blood Service at the Heronston Hotel. To find out more or volunteer, simply book online – please note that anyone who has recently received a Covid-19 vaccination must wait seven days before making a blood donation.
Covid Pass no longer needed
The latest changes to coronavirus restrictions mean that venues previously covered by the domestic Covid Pass regulations no longer need to restrict entry to vaccinated individuals, those who have a negative test or people who are medically exempt. From 28 February, adults and children aged 11 and over will also no longer be required to wear face coverings in most indoor places except for health and social care settings, all retail settings and public transport. Schools will be able to decide on their own arrangements for wearing masks within classrooms, but they will remain necessary within secondary school areas where indoor physical distancing is not possible. Adults will be able to remove their face coverings while interacting with babies and small children at baby and toddler groups.
Drive-thru vaccination clinics
A ‘drive-thru’ Covid-19 vaccination clinic will be available at Ysbyty’r Seren on Bennett Street in Bridgend Industrial Estate next week (CF31 3SH). Open between 1.30pm-4pm from 21-25 February, the clinic is available for anyone aged 12+ who is due their first, second or third dose, or a booster. No appointment is necessary – visit the Cwm Taf University Morgannwg Health Board website for more details.