Getting to and from work in Cynon Valley on the A4059
Labour controlled Rhondda Cynon Taf Council have been spouting out the same drivel on Highway Infrastructure since Plaid Cymru lost control in 2004 in 2007, the Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link was a High Priority Scheme in 2007 nine years on and we are now informed that it will take another 1 to 2 years as investigation work has just started on the project.
Also a priority now is the Northern Cross Valley Link also at Mountain Ash. It is evident this road link is overdue by the traffic queuing some days as far back as Cwmbach. The Northern Cross Valley Link is crucial as Rhondda Cynon Taf Council are pushing ahead with plans to develop the brownfield site land once occupied by the polluting Phurnacite Plant. The intentions are to build 500 dwellings a school and units.
“Highways – Access to the site would be from Abercwmboi onto the B4275 and the adjacent industrial estate on to the already overused A4059 Asda roundabout? Access directly onto the A4059 from the Phurnacite would prove expensive, as a bridge to cross the River Cynon and main railway line would be required. Highway Infrastructure on the A4059 must be in place before impending development takes place, but the Labour run RCT Council are not talking about constructing the Northern Cross Valley Link why?
Below taken from Heads of the Valleys Spatial Strategy 2007
“While the A4059 provides a fast route up the Cynon Valley, there are only limited opportunities to cross the valley and access the main communities. Between Abercynon and Aberdare, there is only one bridge in the centre of Mountain
Ash. This leads to heavy traffic congestion in the town centre. Two cross-valley link roads are proposed north and south of Mountain Ash town centre. These would ease traffic congestion through Mountain Ash and provide improved access to the communities along the Cynon Valley.”
Another Labour High priority scheme in 2007 was the A4059 Aberdare By Pass Extension; again this scheme is brought to the forefront at election time again Labour say it will be completed by 2020 13 years on from the High priority scheme it was in 2007. But again this date is not set in stone. RCT Council having difficulties finding funding for the Mountain Ash Southern Cross Valley Link so don’t hold your breath.
So why talk about Highway Infrastructure in Cynon Valley? Our new Assembly Member Vikki Howells questioned Carwyn Howell Jones First Minister of Wales, it referenced to “Land banking' is a concern in Cynon Valley – privately owned derelict sites.” https://t.co/7410aNjAJy The new AM wants to boost house building in Cynon Valley providing employment and new homes, this is commendable. If the Assembly Government provided funding for major highway Infrastructure can also enhance employment in construction throughout RCT, the A470 needs extra lanes to cope with demand, traffic is queuing from Pontypridd to Cardiff daily. Perhaps North Wales AM Ken Skates the new Transport Minister will make a statement on transport in the South Wales Valleys.
