Bonvilston community venue receives upgrade as part of Five Mile Lane improvement works
Bonvilston Reading Room has become the first community venue in the Vale of Glamorgan to benefit as part of the upgrade of nearby Five Mile Lane.
The car park at the well-used community centre has been completely resurfaced by contractor Alun Griffiths as part of an agreement negotiated by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
The work was undertaken at the request of local councillor and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, Cllr Jonathan Bird.
Under the terms of the contract to deliver the new Five Mile Lane scheme the contractor is also required to provide community benefits through smaller scale local construction work and by offering training opportunities.
Cllr John Thomas, Leader of the Council, said: “Bonvilston Reading Room is a much valued local facility and so it is great to have been able to play a part in its improvement. The new car park will make it more welcoming and accessible, and we hope will lead to even more people coming through the doors.”
Cllr Jonathan Bird, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “Improving the lives of local residents is at the heart of the Five Mile Lane project. The Council negotiated hard to ensure there was extensive provision for community benefit projects in the contract and I am delighted to see such a valued local facility be the first to gain from this work.”
Paul Fisher, Chair of the Reading Room Committee, said: “Thanks to Alun Griffiths and the Vale of Glamorgan Council this brand new car park brings a major enhancement to the Reading Room.
“Our users have been eagerly awaiting this new development which is seen as a great improvement. These works also continue the aim of the Reading Room Committee to provide a first class facility for the community of Bonvilston.
“Thanks also to Mike Miller, a resident of Bonvilston, in carrying out the preparatory groundworks ahead of the resurfacing. With construction of the new Five Mile Lane now entering its latter stages similar community projects are now being identified.”
The Five Mile Lane Improvements Project aims to improve safety along the existing road between the A48 Sycamore Cross junction to the Weycock Cross in Barry.
The scheme involves a combination of improvements including construction of a new road that bypasses the winding central section of the existing road, a new bridge and combined footway and cycleway, and a safe crossing for equestrian users.
When opened the new road will have a 60mph speed limit from Sycamore Cross to the Welsh Hawking Centre.
The existing road will remain open after the scheme is completed to provide local access and as a safer route option for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.