The Afon Lwyd to the south of Jarrold's field Sports Grounds

About New Inn

New Inn is a thriving community of 6,348 residents, 5014 electors and approximately 3,000 households. It is located just to the south east of Pontypool and is bounded by the Afon Lwyd in the west, the Torfaen/Monmouthshire county border in the east and the Brecon-Monmouthshire canal in the north. Although essentially an urban community, it is also partly rural in character especially in Upper New Inn and along the county border with Monmouthshire.The northern extremity of the community boundary is marked by the 'Folly Tower' on top of the hill above the canal.

New Inn is a popular residential area which has grown rapidly over the past 30 years around an established village settlement lying along the old Newport to Pontypool Road. Residential property dating back to the early 20th century lines the main road through New Inn and the coming of the railway and Pontypool Road Station put New Inn on the map. The village is also bounded by the A4042 dual carriageway giving good road links with the rest of Torfaen, Newport, Cardiff, SE Wales and the M4 corridor.

New Inn is regarded as a middle class area with 82% of houses being owner occupied. It has a good social mix with a balance of age groups comprising 19% (0-15 years), 9%(16-24 years), 11%(25-34 years), 43%(35-64), and 18% (65+). Almost 90% of the population enjoy good health, 31% of households have 2 or more cars and 16.6% do not own a car. 6.8% of households were lone parent families in 2001.

20% of residents are educated to degree level. Unemployment is low just 37 registered in 2004) with the main categories of employment being public sector and health, manufacturing, distribution,hotels and catering and construction trades.

The village hosts the old Panteg Parish Church and is well served with local shops and  amenities. It has two small supermarket shops, 5 public houses, Indian and Chinese takeaways, a chip shop, an Indian restraunt, post office, beauty salons, hairdressers, DIY shop, computer ink refill centre, dentist, health centre, an excellent primary school campus, 2 public halls, an after school and breakfast club, playgroup, youth centre, and scout and guide groups. It is fortunate to have a large and small recreation field, changing rooms, a multipurpose hard surface games area and two children's play areas. In addition Jarrold's field provides facilities for the New Panteg RFC and the New Inn Junior and Youth Football Clubs. The newly refurbished Pontypool Active Living Centre and dry ski slope facility are in walking distance and the nearby Llandegveth reservoir and Brecon-Monmouthshire Canal provide additional recreational opportunities. New Inn is located next to the Beacon's National Park and Momouthshire countryside of outstanding natural beauty and is just a few minutes by car from the industrial heritage sites of Big Pit and Blaenavon.

New Inn has good road and rail links with shopping centres such as Cwmbran, Newport, Cardiff, Bristol and even Birmingham, Manchester and London. Cardiff and Bristol have airports with good flight links to many cities, countries and holiday destinations. Being on the A4042 dual carriagway New Inn has excellent road links to the M4 and M5 motorways and other trunk roads to other parts of Wales and the UK.

John Turner

2007