Deputy minister for housing and regeneration Jocelyn Davies today announced an £8.3m funding package for regeneration in Bargoed town centre. Caerphilly County Borough Council will lead the scheme. The European Regional Development Fund provided £3.2m towards the project, which will include the construction of a new bus station and improved pedestrian zones.

Mold psychiatric rehabilitation centre Delfryn House will be extended to provide care for female patients in a £3m deal between Cheshire’s Pochin Construction and Cambrian Healthcare. Delfryn House currently provides 28 beds for male patients; Pochin will build a 23,250 sq ft adjoining unit – called Delfryn Lodge – to provide 24 beds and recreational facilities for female patients. Construction is expected to finish in this summer.

The Welsh Assembly Government has approved two further flood defence schemes in North Wales. In Tywyn, Gwynedd, a £6.4m scheme will protect an estimated 78 properties from annual flooding, while in Llanfairpwll, a £1.9m scheme will protect 90 properties in the beleaguered Ffordd Penmynydd area. Environment minister Jane Davidson said: “If we are to adapt successfully to climate change, then the way we manage our shores and rivers will be critical. These projects will do just that and will help protect the local area, homes, businesses and jobs.”

High-speed network FibreSpeed provider Carrier Wales has launched a wireless service – WiMAX – that will allow businesses in North Wales to connect to the network, even if they are far away from the fibre itself. The WiMAX service, which can link to existing “hardwired” networks and WiFi networks, covers Deeside, Sandycroft, Broughton, Ewloe and the Flintshire coast.

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