The Valleys Regional Park

Parc Rhanbarthol y Cymoedd

VRP ERDF UMBRELLA AND CORE PROJECTS

Valleys Cycle Network
Project Sponsors - Sustrans and Local Authorities

Construction of various multi user routes that link some of the visitor centres to progress completion of the Valleys Cycle Network, including:

• Link between the Darran Valley Cycle Routes at Parc Cwm Darran and Pontlottyn

• Link from Argoed and the Sirhowy Valley to Oakdale Industrial Estate and Penyfan Pond

• Monmouth and Brecon Canal Gateways (leading to Cwmcarn Forest Drive and Mountain Bike Centre)

• Improvements to the Taff trail between Pontypridd and Nantgarw

• Link between NCN 46 and Cwm via Ebbw Vale following the route of the Ebbw Valley Railway in places

• Northern extension to the Sirhowy Valley Cycle Route to the boundary with Blaenau Gwent CB. Extension to Bedwellty Pits in BGCBC

• Sirhowy Valley Country Park NCN Route 47 improvements

• Velindre to Afan Forest Park

• Llynfi Valley Route to Afan Forest Park

• Cwm Gwendraeth Cycleway

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The Valleys "Heart & Soul"

Project Sponsor - Capital Region Tourism

Adoption of a consistent approach to community tourism development across the Valleys celebrating heritage, culture and landscape.

• Implementation of the Valleys events strategy

• Operational control of the Valleys destination website

• Roll-out of the agreed Valleys brand to internal and external markets

• Optimisation of marketing opportunities linked to the overall investments through Regeneration and Convergence budgets

• Best practice adoption of destination management principles across the Valleys

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Presenting a Clean & Pleasant Environment for Visitors

Project Sponsor - Environment Agency Wales/NRW

An integrated approach to tackle the problem of fly tipping and litter within and on the approaches to the visitor centres and landscapes within other parts of the programme through enforcement, engagement and education .

Activities include:

• A range of pilot activities, including innovative use of GPS
• A media campaign linked to Valleys Heart & Soul involving a wide range of partners across the VRP area
• Sophisticated and ongoing educational interventions with schools, households and businesses
• High profile 'clean-up' campaigns, and additional waste collection resources, which demonstrate the value and easiness of avoiding fly tipping behaviour

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Enhancing the VRP Experience for Visitors
Project Sponsor - Countryside Council for Wales/NRW

The project officer sat in NRW (previously in CCW) and was part of the VRP core team working to ensure the following:

Quality standards for country parks, standards for walking and cycling routes to grade route for ease of route, links to tourism ambassador schemes, specialist interpretation advice consistently across the VRP, real best practice examples of delivering green infrastructure and a cultural landscape approach.

Vision VRP_partnership Themes and Projects

Infrastructure Projects Events and Interpretation Projects VRP core projects

Valleys Cycle Network Valleys 'Heart & Soul' Presenting a Clean and Pleasant Environment Enhancing the VRP Experience

Community Tourism

Work Package 1 Work Package 2 Work Package 3 Work Package 4 VRP community spaces