Proposed Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link is it fit for purpose?
Having looked at the proposed proposal on the Internet and attended the exhibition in Mountain Ash for the Southern Cross Valley Link.
The proposed small stretch of highway and new bridge spanning the River Cynon and the main railway line that runs through Cynon Valley; regular commuters who travel the A4095 have been waiting many many years for this to happen.
The question, what is proposed is the layout planned fit for purpose?
The question was asked, why are there no roundabouts at each end of the proposed new link.
The answer, statistics show traffic lights give the best traffic flow.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council proposed layout show a standard traffic lights system, what it doesn’t show is a northern dedicated left turn lane off the A4059 for traffic to just turning left without waiting at a set of lights thus helping traffic flows northward at peak times in the evening.
Southbound traffic on the A4059 at morning peak times, again traffic lights reduce traffic Flow. Why is there no dedicated southbound lane through the traffic lights with a filter lane for traffic joining from the right?
You may recall Rhondda Cynon Taf Council spending thousands on adjusting traffic lights on the old bridge and A4059 that was to improve traffic flows, we were informed, but it didn’t work. Traffic still builds up on the A4059 but now we also have build up of traffic in Mountain Ash Town. The increased traffic in the town is a nuisance to shoppers and traders.
Traffic pollution from vehicle exhaust emissions must have also increased seriously for pedestrians, shoppers and workers in Mountain Ash Town.
Why has Labour controlled Rhondda Cynon Taf Council chosen traffic lights? Why not have a large roundabout with northern dedicated left turn lane off the A4059 for traffic to just turn left without waiting at a set of lights?
The Highways Department at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council need to get this right! The link road and bridge has been over 30 years in the pipeline, it was on the 15th of December 1966 when traffic bottlenecks at Mountain Ash was first mentioned by Arthur Probert MP for Cynon Valley at that time.
We all know traffic in Cynon Valley will increase as more and more housing developments get approval from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. Slightly less of a priority 30 years ago was the Northern Cross Valley link road and bridge. But now 30 years on and traffic queuing from Mountain Ash traffic lights as far back as Cwmbach on some days, there is a need for this development to proceed.
As we say,
“Increases in housing development for commuters traveling south along the A4059”
But as Labour leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council says,
“No need for northern bridge and data supports that. I'm sure you don't want £10m wasted”
Not forgetting data also supported tinkering with traffic lights on Mountain Ash Bridge intersection would stop queuing traffic on the A4059 but it didn’t.
Northern Cross Valley Link a Highway Infrastructure has got to be an improvement with all the future developments planned for Cynon Valley. Developers that don’t contribute to major highway infrastructure just do very little to obtain consent for development, then the council tax and taxpayers end up picking up the bill for major works due to congested roads.
Cynon Valley is fast becoming a dormitory for Cardiff with Merthyr getting better quality facilities not only retail outlets but jobs and better road links, unlike commuters from Cynon Valley who have to travel out of the valley to find employment.
Is there a start or completion date for the Southern Cross Valley Link? We believe all funding for the project is not in place as yet? The election is due on May 4th 2017 and labour wants your vote again! How many of you have lost count of how many elections the labour party have been rolling this project out promising this? Just like the land once occupied by the Phurnacite plant, the Aberdare Bypass and the extension to the railway line to Hirwaun, to name just a few of the false promises.
