I have welcomed the news that substance misuse services will be relocated away from the town centre.
I am aware of problems caused by the Dyfodol Centre in Market Street during lockdown. Covid restrictions meant that service users could no longer wait inside the Dyfodol building for their treatment, and were having to queue up outside the premises near other businesses on the street.
Traders were very concerned that their customers would be deterred by large groups who were waiting for their prescriptions. Ladies going to a nearby hairdresser’s were particularly affected.
I have liaised since then with the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Probation Service to get Dyfodol moved to more suitable premises. I am delighted that it has now been agreed that it will be relocated to Celtic Court on Tremains Road.
Celtic Court already houses Barod which works with drug users within the criminal justice system and the Community Drug and Alcohol team which manages many of the Dyfodol users once their initial 52 weeks of treatment are ended. Users also go there in any case for the needle exchange facility.
I understand that some work is needed to physically alter the premises and tendering is underway at present. The work will be managed by the South Wales Police Estates team and they are encouraging bids from contractors who are already police vetted.
I have not received a definite date for the move at the moment, especially with problems over the availability of building materials as a result of Covid, however, I am hopeful now that the ball is rolling that the move will be made sooner rather than later.
I know this will come as a relief to the businesses on Market Street that were impacted by the presence of Dyfodol. Celtic Court is an excellent compromise as it is close to the facilities of the town centre but still just outside it. There are also good transport links. It’s a win-win.
