Additional £7m investment opportunities to be considered
An additional £7m could be invested in improving transport links, leisure facilities and the development of community hubs across Rhondda Cynon Taf, as proposals before Cabinet next week recommend the fifth round of capital investment in key priority areas as part of the #RCTinvest programme.
The report proposes investing an additional £3m in major highways schemes such as the Cross Valley Link in Mountain Ash, the Llanharan Bypass and the dualling of the A4119 south of Tonyrefail.
The report also proposes the creation of two additional 3G facilities at Bryncelynnog and Rhydywaun Comprehensive schools, whilst a further £1m will also be invested in the development of Park and Ride facilities.
County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “This £7m investment seeks to ensure that we continue to deliver on our ambitions for the entire County Borough.
“This investment will support the delivery of a number of public commitments and will ensure that the positive and visible improvements delivered by #RCTInvest over the last two years continue, shaping the positive future for the County that we all want to see.
“We have proposed the commitment of over half a million pounds for a further two 3G pitches in the County to meet our ambitious plans for every resident to have access to such a facility within a three-mile radius. These plans are in addition to the seven already delivered and the three already in progress or under development at Abercynon, Garth Olwg and Ferndale.
“To ensure we deliver upon the commitments to improve our transport infrastructure, particularly in respect of the Llanharan Bypass and the dualling of the A4119, a further £1m has been identified for each project to progress their respective development. In addition to these schemes, a further £1m will be released to continue to support the delivery of the Cross the Valley Link in Mountain Ash.
“As part of our effort to modernise our wider transportation offer, over £1m will support the development of further Park and Ride facilities across RCT to ensure that we maximise the opportunities afforded to us by the South Wales Metro project.
“The #RCTinvest programme is ensuring that, despite the financial challenges we face, we are able, through targeted investments, to create opportunities to deliver vital improvements for the County Borough, despite the reducing revenue funding we received.
"We know that by remodelling the way in which we deliver our services, we can ensure that we can continue to provide key frontline services with less financial resources; and through targeted investment, we can improve the services provided to residents and that is why we are proposing to invest half a million pounds in the development of Community Hubs.
“This investment proposal is all about taking RCT forward, by future proofing key infrastructure, improving our transport connections and developing new ways of delivering services.
"In addition, the further investment in state-of-the-art, community use, 3G pitches proactively responds to the feedback and demand for such facilities, and the additional investment in leisure will further enhance the provision we currently provide.”
Investment Area
Estimated Spend (£M)
Funding for Major Highway Schemes
3.000
Funding for 3G Pitches
0.650
Park and Ride Programme
1.000
Pontrhondda Bridge
1.100
Community Hubs
0.500
Leisure Centre Changing Rooms
0.750
Total Investment
7.000M
Following a review and subject to the approval of both Cabinet and full Council in November, this additional investment will be funded through the release of one-off earmarked reserves.
