Ongoing repairs to Lido Ponty and Ynysangharad Park Bridge
Written by Gavin on 29th July 2020
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has provided a progress update on ongoing repairs to Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales, and the Ynysangharad Park Bridge following damage by Storm Dennis – with both on course to reopen in 2021.
During February 2020, unprecedented weather brought severe flooding to Rhondda Cynon Taf, affecting people’s homes, local businesses and public infrastructure. Pontypridd was one of the locations particularly badly affected.
Lido Ponty, the National Lido of Wales, was extensively damaged, and it required 1,000 tonnes of debris and water to be removed. The plant room was submerged and must be fully-renewed, with work on this getting underway shortly and aiming for completion in mid-winter 2020/21. Café repairs are also ongoing.
The entire facility is aiming to be fully-functional by February/March 2021, with all-new paddle boats and inflatables – all of which having to be replaced following the storm damage. However, the children’s playground (Lido Play) and the nearby public toilets have recently opened to the public having been fully-refurbished.
Ynysangharad Park Bridge sustained structural damage and remains closed to ensure public safety. Debris that accumulated at the bridge has been removed, and the Council has employed external consultants and specialist contractors who have undertaken a number of surveys and inspections of the structure.
The current proposal is to repair the bridge rather than replace it. This would be achieved by erecting a crane within the Park to remove the bridge and its components, in order to be repaired on site – utilising land adjacent to Lido Ponty. Once repairs are complete, the bridge would be lifted back into place.
Under this proposal, work would start on site during autumn 2020, and it is anticipated the repairs would be completed during winter 2020/21.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The Council has made clear its commitment to make funding available to rectify the infrastructure damage caused by Storm Dennis. This progress update has confirmed that the repair project at Lido Ponty is on course for completion by spring next year, while a proposed repair scheme for the Ynysangharad Park Bridge could be completed during the winter months.
“Lido Ponty is a much-loved and extremely popular visitor attraction not only for Pontypridd but for the wider region. It is sad to think that at this time of year, under normal circumstances, the facility would be welcoming families in the first weeks of the summer holiday. However, I am pleased that the repairs are being scheduled for completion in time for the Easter holidays in 2021 – pending, of course, the situation in relation to Coronavirus at that time.
“There was also some good news for the park recently, as the refurbished children’s play area next to Lido Ponty reopened on July 20 following latest Coronavirus guidance, alongside other playgrounds in the County Borough. The refurbished public toilets nearby were able to open on the same day too.
“The Ynysangharad Park Bridge is a very important asset linking the town centre with the park, and the Council will continue to keep local residents up to date with both projects over the coming months, as we work very hard to rectify the extensive damage caused by the unprecedented weather events earlier in the year.”
Following the above update from RCT Council, listeners have been contacting GTFM to find out if we can get an an update on the Bowls Pavilion. Below is the response from a spokesperson at RCT Council.
“The Council can confirm that work to rectify damage to the bowls pavilion at Ynysangharad Park got underway last week, and is scheduled for completion by the end of September 2020.”