Plans for pedestrian paths and cycle routes in Treforest will go on display at the end of this month in an exhibition staged by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and sustainable transport charity Sustrans.
The plans are for a scheme which will create new shared-use paths to improve travel on foot or by bike around Treforest with links to the centre of Pontypridd as well as various educational establishments and other facilities in the area.
A Feasibility Study has been prepared which looked at the different options for the scheme, with different solutions to overcome severance caused by the railway line and river that run through Treforest. Local people will be asked to give their views and suggestions on the plans so that the route can be finalised and made a reality.
The exhibition will take place at the Treforest Community Centre, Kingsland Terrace, Treforest, on Thursday 29 from 12.30-6pm and Friday 30 April from 9am-8pm.
This scheme is funded by Sustrans, using part of a £50m award from the Big Lottery Fund that was won via public vote in 2007, and by the Welsh Assembly Government Regional Transport Plan Grant.
It is also one of the new routes being developed as part of the £7.6m Valleys Cycle Network and will receive additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government.
Alongside the scheme exhibition, there will also be a chance for people to nominate local heroes to be immortalised in steel as part of a Portrait Bench – a new UK-wide art initiative from Sustrans.
The benches will appear on nearly 80 routes across the UK and include three life-size images of local heroes cut from Corten steel which are placed next to a bench on the route. Each route will have its own local heroes for the Portrait Bench to reflect the area’s history and culture.
Will pioneers William Crawshay and Roland Fothergill be commemorated for their work? Will composers of the Welsh national anthem Evan and James James get the vote or could Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell be wielding a steel guitar? Will Treforest honour singing legend Sir Tom Jones or is there someone living there today who stands out for their contribution to the local community?
Rachel Lister, Project manager for Sustrans Cymru, said: “We want to give Treforest and the surrounding area a great scheme that really works for the local people so that people can travel more on foot or by bike in easier, safer and more accessible ways. Many everyday journeys are under five miles and we hope people can be encouraged to leave their cars at home a little more and can enjoy travelling in this area.”
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “It’s extremely exciting for such an innovative project within Rhondda Cynon Taf to have this opportunity to be part of this UK-wide scheme. The scheme will be a huge boost to what is already a beautiful environment and for Pontypridd generally, by improving walking and cycling links within Treforest, between the University of Glamorgan’s campuses and surrounding residential, employment and shopping areas.
“I hope members of the public – whether residents of Treforest or regular visitors to Pontypridd and the surrounding area, take this ideal opportunity to visit the exhibition and through close consultation will help make this project a reality.”
