That's ok. I am glad to see the council have not been wasting my community charge.

Bob O'Builder could do better with a bucket of slop

There's been a lot of similar criticism about the work going on in Aberdare town center, but this disruption is necessary in order to create a better environment. You can't make an omlette without cracking a few eggs. I'm sure the contractors do their best to keep disruption down to a minimum, but that's all they can do. It'll work out fine in the end.

I remember though the resurfacing of the bypass following the surface breakup after the hard winters of 2009\2010. They must have had contractors bombed out on acid, because even now you get seasick travelling along it. It's one of the worst jobs of resurfacing I've ever driven over, and they let them get away with it. Now that raised some questions amongst many drivers that I talked to.

By the way, Tinky, which department of RCT do you work for, or are you closely related to a councillor? And before you start slagging me off again, I do recognise some of the good that the council does, and have acknowledged it on here several times. I'm just unfortunate to live in a ward where the local incumbent is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard, and is clearly in it for the nice fat payment he gets into his bank account every month. Suffice it to say that if waffle and b******t were poetry, he'd be William Shakespeare.

Why not do a proper job then instead of what looks like a cowboy job. Taking off top layer with skimming machine and then reusing waste product and reapplying. Cost more but will certainly get a longer life.

At moment you are still driving in ruts left after years of traffic going along same path.

Just feels cheap and nasty, and if a proper job was done there would not be broken windscreens and damaged paint work.

But son of cocoman knows best. Cant be any good if its coming up in usual places, it was pointless doing it and wasting all that money.

Another slice of battenburg and a cup o tea please

Should this surface be allowed on the main arterial route through the valley? Yes it was done with the minimum of fuss and inconvience to the travelling public but it has not adressed what had become a very poor road surface.

The pot holes and 'tramlines' are still there and even after just a fortnight or so it is already beginning to shows signs of wear. There is still plenty of loose gravel being thrown up, especially if you drive on very wide tyres. Therefore the skid risk is still there, I'd hate to be a motorcyclist.

This surface may be fine for backstreets and lanes, but a major heavily used route I think not. The contractors have already had to apply further chippings to the approach to the Abercynon roundabout. At seven in the evening they had a JCB spreading the chippings over that stretch of the road.

The treads of my tyres are still full of chippings and I think this surface has increased the accident risk on the faster stretches of the road. It can easily catch out the unwary or inexperienced.

If it works fine, but as a motorist that does 35,000 plus miles a year certain roads will not work.

Just look at the small bend as you leave Newtown Mountain Ash, the bend is starting to carve up and its been less than a month.

Fine I give in on straight lengths it may work fine, but on bends and areas of heavy commercial traffic it wont.

They use a similar system in France but its mainly for rural roads as most commercial traffic pays to use the Auto route and france being a bigger country will just build or re surface roads in full.

As we live in a congested small island with more and more people coming in and freight traffic increasing from the continent maybe its time to lower road tax and have tolled motorways.

There is nothing wrong with this approach as you only pay for the roads you use.

Just look at the big pile of dogs mess at the abercynon round about, the M4 junc 32 was sorted out quick time, but alas Abercynon and the cynon valley has been let down again

Off the council website

Latest section of our roads to be done I see, this work started this week......

As part of the Council’s strong commitment to maintaining and improving the County Borough’s highways infrastructure, the Council is beginning work in the Aberdare area, ploughing over £60,000 in to the B4275, which is the main route to Aberaman and adjoining villages.

The planned works are set to take place during early August and are expected to be completed in less than a week subject to the weather conditions allowing the works to progress as planned.

As the route which runs along Cardiff Road from Tinney’s Roundabout back along the B4275 past the old welsh school is a busy road there will inevitably be some minor disruption during the works, however in order to keep this to a minimum, the scheme will be undertaken outside peak hours (i.e. between 9.30am – 3.30pm and during evenings). Traffic lights will be in place to ensure that traffic is kept moving.

Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Local Ward Member for Aberaman North, Councillor Anthony Christopher, said:

“We are delivering on our commitment to make these important improvements to this part of the B4275 around Tinny’s roundabout towards the old Welsh School.

“The highway improvements will comprise of the strengthening of the carriageway which will provide a renewed surface which will last for many years to come.

"The Council has recognised the concerns expressed by the public at the damage caused from the previous harsh winters and it is for that very reason we are investing a further £9 million in our roads during 2012/13.

“Our significant investment of £10m last year has already made a substantial difference to residents and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to investing in the infrastructure within the County Borough.”

County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Frontline Services said:

“Over 378 roads and streets have already benefited from resurfacing works - this is over and above the 85,000 pot holes and patching repairs we have carried out since the work began in April 2011.

“The highway improvements have taken place right across Rhondda Cynon Taf with every ward of the County Borough benefiting.

“I would like to thank the residents of the streets that have already been targeted for their support, as this has led to the speedy completion of the roads highlighted so far and ask them to bear with us as we continue the improvements.”

Motorists right across the County Borough are reaping the benefits from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s ongoing £9m Highways Investment Scheme as works plough ahead.

Over 138 streets and roads have already been either resurfaced or strengthened since April 2012. This is on top of the 240 streets and roads that were tackled during the first phase of the scheme (2011/12).

The Council’s Environmental Services team have now inspected and identified the streets across the County Borough that will be included in the resurfacing and strengthening programme for 2012. Works are now being carried out in the most cost effective manner, therefore it will not necessarily be in the order of priority but all the roads identified will be tackled this financial year.

Another press release of RCT's website, not before time as this by pass is shot to bits and had loads pot holes in it last year, not been up there lately though. Says its resurfacing but doesnt say if its the full road or patchwork

Essential works by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will cause the temporary overnight closure of A4059 Aberdare Bypass from Meirion Street Roundabout to Penywaun Roundabout (including Harriet Street Roundabout) from 6th August 2012.

The road closure will then continue between the hours of 7pm to 7am the next morning until 13th August or until works are complete.

The road is being closed to carry out essential carriage way resurfacing and the works have been programmed to be undertaken during the school summer holidays and outside of peak hours, to minimise the disruption to road users.

The diversion will route road users from the Meirion Street Roundabout, along the A4059 Aberdare Bypass, Depot Road Roundabout, Gadlys Roundabout, route B4275 to the Penywaun Roundabout.

Road users from the Penywaun Roundabout, are asked to proceed via route A4059 (Hirwaun Road), Hirwaun Roundabout, route A465 (Heads of the Valleys Road), route B4276 (Merthyr Road and Llwydcoed Road) to Harriet Street Roundabout.

For vehicles travelling in the opposite direction, reverse the directions given above.

Access will be maintained to existing pedestrian crossing points and for emergency services and buses at all times. Pedestrians are reminded that they are not permitted to walk along the Bypass at any time

Anything done on on the cheap is ok by me. "Make do, and mend" will always make a profit and put money in the bank. Saving the community charge is excellent.

Found this on youtube kinda explains why the stone and tar is used and does explain its NOT as Valleyboy suggested a 3rd world road surface.

Actually says same as the RCT press release that its a preventative measure for stopping potholes and cracks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO1SnljPKLY&feature=related

I see they are doing the by-pass section on the A4059 from Trecynon upwards towards Penywaun, much better working with them doing the evenings there this last week

Sorry Crapman, someone already tried a final solution. That failed.

Since Big Jim's government in the 70,s Aberdare has lost a hell of a lot of employment . Wouldn't you silly Billy's like to see all that work back here?

Thought I'd bump this thread.

Has anyone noticed how dangerous the stretch of this road between Cwmbach and Mountain Ash has become in heavy rain. There is water pooling in the middle of the road because the new surface has been so poorly applied.

Some of these puddles are quite wide and hold enough water to get your tyres to loose adhesion for a moment. I was travelling towards Mount this morning and had to pass a farm tractor and trailer. Road in front was clear so I passed as quickly as I could as there were others behind me who wished to do the same. As I pulled in my offside front broke traction because of the water, traction control flashed for a second.

I drive on wide 235 tyres which are almost brand new (Goodyear Eagle F2) which shift a fair old amount of water. If I had been on a motorcycle............doesn't bear thinking about. I'm going to report it to the council.

I e-mailed the council on the 18th October, I had a reply with a reference number and they promised to get in touch with me. Not a dicky bird since. The road was particularly bad this morning a lot of water collecting along the middle of the road.

All you need is someone with bald tyres and they're going to take a trip into the scenery.