A4119 dualling – public exhibitions in Ynysmaerdy and Coedely

The Council will host public exhibitions in Ynysmaerdy and Coedely during early February 2019, where residents will be able to view future plans to dual a section of the A4119 Ely Valley Road.

The events are part of a week-long opportunity, from Monday, February 4, for residents to have their say on the plans. Cabinet Members have made a commitment for the Council to carry out this major scheme in a future financial year. It will see a 1.3km section of the A4119 dualled, from Llantrisant Business Park to Coedely Roundabouts, to improve traffic flow at peak times.

To date, a total of £3.08m has been allocated to the project – following the latest Welsh Government contribution of £434,000, which was confirmed in December 2018 as part of its Local Transport Fund.

In June 2018, Cabinet approved proposals to progress the project, and the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) Stages 1 and 2 are complete. The upcoming public exhibitions are part of the scheme’s ongoing detailed design phase, while land purchase also continues. Members of the public are welcome at either exhibition, which take place at:

Ynysmaerdy Community Centre, Glan-Yr-Ely, Ynysmaerdy, CF72 8LJ.

Monday, February 4 – 11.30am to 6.30pm.

Coedely Community Centre, Tonyrefail, Porth, CF39 8BE.

Friday, February 8 – 11.30am to 7pm.

Those attending will be able to view plans for the dualling scheme, and speak to Council Officers about any queries they have. Residents who cannot attend will be able to view plans and have their say on the Council website during the consultation week. This opportunity will end on Monday, February 11.

This process will also present the first opportunity for residents to view the Council’s proposals to remove the roundabout near South Wales Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters, as part of the wider dualling scheme.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “Cabinet has made a commitment for the Council to dual the section of the strategic A4119 corridor at Coedely in the future. More than £3m has now been allocated to the scheme thanks to the latest Welsh Government grant, confirmed in December 2018, as part of its Local Transport Fund. Work continues behind the scenes by Officers to progress the scheme, with detailed design and land purchase ongoing.

“We have invested considerably in the A4119 in recent years, and continue to do so as part of the Council’s commitment to explore opportunities for economic growth in the Rhondda Gateway, which has been identified by Cabinet as one of five Strategic Opportunity Areas in Rhondda Cynon Taf. An example is the multi-million pound investment in Talbot Green Roundabout, which has greatly improved traffic flow at peak times since summer 2017.

“The A4119, from Llantrisant Business Park to the Coedely Roundabouts, currently represents a bottle-neck for traffic at peak times, and the dualling scheme would greatly improve traffic flow and connectivity for residents. This is a vital project at one of the busiest sections of our highways network, in an area which supports the fire station, hospital and business park nearby.

“The Council last year secured significant European funding to create modern business units on the former Coedely colliery site. This represents a near £4m investment with the potential to attract business and jobs – which places even more importance on improving traffic flow through the A4119 dualling scheme.

“I’m looking forward to viewing the plans during the week-long opportunity from February 4, and would encourage interested residents to attend one of the public events or view the proposals online.”

Residents are welcome to use Welsh at the exhibition. Please let us know by 28 January, 2019, should you wish to do so – via email: [email protected].