Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has successfully secured funding from the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta), to begin feasibility studies on a project that would create a new road link from the Cynon Valley direct to the A465 Heads of the Valleys trunk road.
The scheme seeks to extend the A4059 Aberdare Bypass to provide a direct link to the Heads of the Valleys road, involving the provision of a new junction on the A465.
The scheme would reduce traffic through the communities of Llwydcoed and Penywaun and create an important new gateway to the Cynon Valley. The scheme complements the Council’s regeneration plans for the Cynon Valley and would help attract employers into the area.
The Council intends to develop the project to tie-in with the proposed dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road and it is important that the scheme is progressed in tandem with this work so that the dualling scheme can accommodate a new junction on the A465 between Baverstock’s and Hirwaun.
The Council has discussed its plans with the Welsh Assembly Government’s transport officials and continues to press for the dualling of the A465 section in Rhondda Cynon Taf to be carried out as early as possible. The proposal in relation to the A4059 has also been incorporated into the Council’s new Local Development Plan, which was adopted by the Council earlier this month and is due to be published shortly.
The Council’s Joint Venture partners Capita Symonds will undertake the initial feasibility study.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and Emergency Planning, said: “Securing this funding is an important first step for this road project that will bring long term relief to the communities of Llwydcoed and Penywaun. It will also open up the top of the Cynon Valley with direct links to the Heads of the Valleys and beyond and will help with further regeneration.”
“The Welsh Assembly Government is still committed to the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road through to Hirwaun by 2020 and it’s vital the Aberdare Bypass extension ties in with this date. While there are many stages to go through before works starts we are now at the first run of the ladder.”
“As Cabinet Member for Transport at Rhondda-Cynon-Taf Council I will continue to press this scheme at every opportunity”
