Austin-Smith:Lord was commissioned by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to produce an Urban Design and Landscape Strategy and Implementation Plan for the enhancement of the River Taff Corridor. Merthyr Tydfil is situated on the River Taff, which separates retail activities in the east from commercial and residential uses to the west. In recent years, the development of Merthyr Tydfil town centre has largely affected its main asset and turned its back on the river, meaning that the River Taff is largely hidden from view.

The aim of the strategy was two-fold:

• To remove the perception of the River Taff Corridor as a barrier to movement, integrating the east and west of the town;

and

• To improve the physical environment of River Taff Corridor, and develop the river as an attraction on its own right.

The implemented works have vastly improved the setting of the River Taff Corridor and have proved very popular with local residents. Moreover, this project is now widely regarded by the Town Partnership Committee and Regeneration Department as the most successful scheme within the town centre

Gavin Lewis – Physical Regeneration Manager, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council