Consulting on next phase of Relief Road through the Upper Rhondda Fach as far as Maerdy the A4233? Forget that it is now the proposed walking and cycling route

Plans for the Upper Rhondda Fach Relief Road scrapped by Labour

Inspector’s report

15. 10.15  NSA 20.2 concerns the safeguarding of a route to extend the recently-constructed Porth Relief Road through the Upper Rhondda Fach as far as Maerdy. This would be a major scheme and the March 2007 Report to the Council’s Cabinet estimated the cost at £105m. The cost may have risen since then. There is no evidence as to how this might be funded and the Council acknowledges in Document EB14 that there is no certainty that work would commence within the LDP period. However the route shown on the Proposals Map would mostly follow the line of a disused railway and TAN 18 (paragraph 8.23) allows for the safeguarding of such railway routes for transport purposes beyond the LDP period. The inclusion of the scheme in the LDP is justified on that basis.
16. 10.16  NSA 20.3 however concerns the extension of the above road beyond Maerdy. Appendix 1(d) indicates that the road would extend as far as the A4061 Rhigos Road but acknowledges that the proposal has not been developed sufficiently to enable the identification of an approved route to be safeguarded. No route is shown on the Proposals Map and the route could not follow a disused railway as there is none in this location. As the implementation would logically depend on the prior implementation of the above NSA 20.2 scheme, NSA 20.3 would not be constructed within the LDP period. Moreover the March 2007 Report to the Council’s Cabinet estimated the cost then at £45m and there is no indication as to how it might be funded. With no identified route and no realistic prospect of commencement within the LDP period, the inclusion of the scheme in the LDP would serve no purpose. It would risk blight over a wide area, would mislead local residents and those considering investment in the area, and would contravene national policy in TAN 18. IC07 would accordingly delete the scheme.

Inspector’s report

10.19  The Council’s only justification for the full scheme rests on a possibility that traffic growth may lead to a chance of the scheme being included in a future SEWTA RTP programme. Whilst the Council points out that this would be an on-line widening scheme which would not pass immediately adjacent to any development sites, there remains the possibility of blight to nearby residential and other properties as a wider, faster road would have a greater environmental impact.

10.17  IC07 Delete NSA 20.3 Upper Rhondda Fach Relief Road Extension (Beyond Maerdy) and the associated text at Appendix 1(d).

10.18  SSA 18.1 and the associated text at Appendix 1(d) refer to the safeguarding of land for upgrading to dual carriageway with junction improvements along about 10km of the A4119 between Ynysmaerdy and Williamstown, as shown on the Proposals Map. The cost for the full scheme was estimated in the March 2007 Report to Cabinet at £35m. It may since have risen. Appendix 1(d) describes the scheme as dependent on the scale of development in the area with developers to be required to assist with the cost. However, the EB81 Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs Studies only supported the need for one junction improvement (at the A4119/A4073 roundabout) to provide for development proposed in the LDP, and did not support the full scale dualling of the route. Whilst other local improvements may prove necessary as the result of detailed Transport Assessment, the prospects of justifying sufficient developer contributions to fund the full dualling scheme are therefore remote. No other funding source has been identified.

Consulting on next phase of Rhondda Fach walking and cycling route

Residents can now have their say on the proposed fifth phase of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route. This would be the final section of the 10km shared walking and cycle path, and would run between Ferndale and Tylorstown.

The overall route will create a pedestrian and cycle path that runs for 10km across the Rhondda Fach, linking local communities between Maerdy and Tylorstown. It is being delivered across five phases of work that are listed at the bottom of this update, including the progress made towards their delivery.

Phase Five is proposed to continue from the southernmost point of Phase Four, extending between the Rhondda Fach Sports Centre (Ferndale) and the Stanleytown overbridge – and connecting to the Porth Relief Road community route at its southern end. Phase Five will follow the route of the former railway line, and create local links to the sports centre and to Tylorstown Surgery.

The delivery of Phase Five would be dependent upon successfully gaining planning permission, as well as funding availability – and would be completed in a future financial year. The current consultation is gaining the views of the local community to help officers shape and finalise a planning submission.

Consultation on Phase Five is now underway, and residents will be able to have their say before the process closes on Monday, September 16.

A dedicated webpage has been set up for residents to find out more about the proposals. This includes a Design and Access Statement, detailed drawings and supporting reports. The consultation page can be accessed here.

Residents can take part in the consultation by writing to the Council – either by email to ActiveTravelConsultation@rctcbc.gov.uk or via letter, using the Freepost address that is provided on the consultation homepage.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The current consultation gives residents the opportunity to find out more about proposals for the fifth and final phase of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route. This phase would build the southernmost section of the overall route, between Ferndale and Tylorstown, and officers will use the local knowledge gained in this engagement exercise to inform the Council’s future planning submission.

“The overall Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route will create a 10km shared pedestrian and cycle path from Maerdy to Tylorstown, creating key links to community landmarks along the way. It represents a major investment – so far we have received important support from Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund to enable three phases of work to start on site. Phases One and Two in Maerdy are complete, while Phase Four through Ferndale started in July.

“The delivery of Phase Four and design work for Phase Five were included within the Council’s wider allocation from the 2024/25 Active Travel Fund. This £6.25m funding also includes progressing Taff Trail upgrades in Trallwn, Cynon Trail improvements in Cwmbach, separate town centre enhancements in Aberdare and Pontypridd, and upgrading Riverside Bridge in Llwydcoed.

“Improving the walking and cycling provision in our communities is important for many reasons – to facilitate healthy activity that improves people’s well-being, and to encourage more people to walk or cycle more of their everyday journeys as an alternative to driving. This will have a knock-on effect of improving the environment and reducing congestion on our road network.

“I encourage all interested residents to have their say on plans for Phase Five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, before the September 16 deadline – to help us best deliver the final section between Ferndale and Tylorstown.”

Details about the first four phases of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, including a latest progress update for each, are summarised below:

Phase One was completed in late 2023. It created the northernmost section of the overall active travel route, from a location north of the Maerdy industrial estate to a point near the Gateway Memorial.

Phase Two was completed earlier this year, resuming the route south of Phase One. Starting from the Gateway Memorial, it stretches through Maerdy for 1.5km, following the alignment of the former railway line.

Phase Three will improve the existing cycle path in Maerdy and create a new 1.5km path leading to Richard Street and Ferndale Swimming Pool. This phase received planning consent in June 2024 and continues to be in development, with funding continuing to be sought for its delivery.

Phase Four will continue the route from Phase Two, upgrading the old railway line path across Ferndale, from a point north of Ffaldau Terrace (near Maerdy) to a point near Dolycoed Funeral Home (Tylorstown). A new link will be created to Avon Street at the northern end of Ferndale, along with work to two bridges in Blaenllechau. Work started on site in July 2024.