Work Begins at UpperBoat, Pontypridd
Exciting news as major scheme begins at Upper Boat, Pontypridd.
A multi-million-pound programme of investment is set to take place to improve transport links in the Pontypridd and wider Taff Ely area.
In autumn 2013 the Welsh Government confirmed plans for a South Wales Metro system that will provide improvements to bus and rail links across south east Wales.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has now secured a further £2.4m investment via the Welsh Government’s South Wales Metro project for improvements to Upper Boat Gyratory and Sardis Road Gyratory. This is on top of the £6.9m already received from the Welsh Government from other funding sources.
The latest works at Upper Boat, see the commencement of Phase 2 of the Improvements. This work is now underway thanks to the recent announcement by Welsh Government that a further £1.66m has been awarded to the scheme. This brings the total Welsh Government funding for Upper Boat junction improvements together with other improvements along the A470 corridor at Nantgarw, Tongwynlais and Whitchurch to £5.1m – this includes funding from other Welsh Government funding streams.
The Upper Boat Gyratory works involve introducing traffic signals on other key arms of the gyratory and will have the benefit of managing queues that build up onto the A470. The scheme will have a positive effect on bus journey times and journey time reliability.
In order to maximise the value of this funding and to reduce disruption, the Council is directly funding additional works to Upper Boat gyratory which will see improvements to the road surfacing around the junction together with major structural maintenance works to the bridge over the River Taf leading to the A473 carried out under the same contract.
The Council is committing £0.7m to ensure this vital piece of infrastructure continues to be able to deal with the massive volumes of traffic passing through it every day.
Whilst every effort is being made to minimise disruption as far as possible, some diversions will need to put in place whilst elements of the works are being carried out.
The wider programme of works are scheduled to last an estimated 6 months, however certain stages and diversions will be in place for shorter periods – motorists will be notified of these when necessary.
Structural maintenance works have now began to the bridge over the River Taf leading to the A473. In order to carry out this work safely the following diversion will be in place for the next 6 weeks (w/c 14/09/15) –
The diversionary route (6 weeks) will be in place for Tonteg bound traffic from the Upper Boat bridge, via Gwaelod y Garth Road, Taffs Mead Road and Severn Road, to Tonteg Road (traffic towards Tonteg and CV Bypass is being directed to the back of the main road through the Industrial estate, rejoining traffic at Hutchins Garage). Traffic, travelling towards the A470 will be travelling on the opposite side of the road.
Where works can be carried out without enforcing a diversion, traffic will be allowed to move freely as normal.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “We greatly welcome news of further external funding to be invested in our transport system throughout Rhondda Cynon Taf. This will undoubtedly be welcomed by all those who regularly use public transport.
“The additional investment will now allow us the opportunity to continue with projects that have helped reduce bus journey times for local passengers, enhance facilities for pedestrians and improve traffic flow.
“The work will be carried out alongside our own multi-million-pound Highways Investment Programme which underlines our commitment to provide safe, well-maintained and effective road networks. This is crucial not only for the wellbeing of those who live and work here, but also for securing future investment and regeneration opportunities.
“The previous works we carried out in Pontypridd were extremely well received by bus operators, users and motorists alike. With our team even gaining recognition via a national award. It is hoped that the next phase of these works will build on this success and help keep Pontypridd traffic moving.
“As with any works, there could be some minor disruption to the highway, but these are being kept to an absolute minimum, with works being carried out at night where possible. I would urge the travelling public to bear with us whilst the works are being carried out as it is for their longer term benefit.”
