Essential pre-construction investigative work to drive forward the regeneration of Pontypridd town centre has begun.

The preparatory work to identify underground supplies is critical to any successful town centre scheme and must take place in order to secure future funding for investment in the area.

While disruption and inconvenience is, regrettably, unavoidable, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council are confident that the techniques used by this highly innovative company will benefit all in terms of reduced noise, nuisance and disruption compared to traditional techniques.

Rather than creating huge trenches in the pavement and public spaces in order to identify supply lines, Airex carry out techniques such as "vacuum excavation" to back up the underground measurements they record by radar.

This method involves the creation of narrow trenches through vacuum techniques and once the underground pipes, cables and cellars have been recorded the excavated material is returned to the trench by pumping from a holding tank.

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This unusual approach used successfully in Newport town centre will reduce the impact this work has on businesses and shoppers in the town centre as well as reducing risks to those carrying out the works.

The work is critical to assist the Council in gathering the supplementary information needed to support a bid for Convergence funding that, if successful, will enable the dramatic regeneration of the town centre streetscape.

Once completed, these underground investigations will provide the Contractor with a clear picture of the unforeseen risks inherent with town centre schemes and will allow work to begin immediately , as soon as the funding is approved next April.

Cllr Paul Cannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Housing, said: "The completion of this underground work is crucial if we are to be in a position to take full advantage of the Convergence funding opportunities next April.

"Carrying out the work now enables us to be in a position to begin high impact regeneration work in the town centre immediately after funding is approved.

"This work really is important and we hope residents, businesses and visitors can bear with us and the Contractor as this work continues.

"We have worked hard to minimise disruption and the appointment of Airex has enabled us to use a unique form of excavation and recording that will reduce the impact on the town centre."

(CD/JM)