The Council will soon undertake an important scheme to repair and future-proof the pictured river wall near Aberdare Railway Station and the Sobell leisure centre site.
The main scheme will get underway from Monday, May 18, with a single-day footpath closure. The main repairs will then be undertaken over three weeks, following directly on.
Inspections of the river walls along this section of the Afon Cynon were recently undertaken, and they found severe scour damage at this location that has exposed the structure’s foundations. An emergency repair scheme is required to ensure the wall’s stability.
On Monday, the Council’s contractor Edwards Diving Services will undertake vegetation clearance, placing a crane on the footpath between the railway station and the Sobell site, and using a pontoon within the river.
The footpath will need to be closed for one day (May 18). An alternative route for pedestrians is via the underpass near the leisure centre car park, Cwmbach Road and Abernant Road.
The wider wall repair scheme will then follow directly on, accessing the river by removing a section of the wall’s parapet, installing scaffolding, and using a crane from the footpath above to transport materials.
Some elements of the work may require the footpath closure to be repeated. The alternative route for pedestrians will be clearly signposted during these instances.
The scheme has been funded by taxpayers through the Council’s revenue budget.
Trees growing into and on aging retaining walls in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) are causing significant structural failures and public safety concerns, particularly in areas like Aberaman. Tree roots weaken mortar and stone, leading to bulging, cracking, and eventual collapse of walls that support roads and homes, requiring costly repairs.
Key Incidents and Areas
- Glancynon Terrace, Aberaman (2025): Residents have reported a “tree-threatened wall” that is showing significant movement and causing stones to fall onto the A4095 road. This follows a previous, costly collapse on nearby Gwawr Street caused by unchecked vegetation.
- Tonypandy (2023): A major repair scheme was completed on a river wall near the A4058, which included removing trees and vegetation that had caused structural failure.
- Pontygwaith & Pentre: Various retaining wall repairs, funded by the council and Welsh Government, have involved removing woody vegetation that damages masonry.
Management and Risks
- Causes: Trees in retaining walls create structural pressure, while roots dislodge stones. During high winds, this can lead to accelerated failure.
- Council Action: The Council investigates and repairs walls, often removing trees from the structure.
- Reporting: Residents should report dangerous trees on Council-owned land by calling 01443 425001.
Related Posts
Local wall repair scheme to get underway in Aberaman
Work progressing on repair scheme to Aberdare Park wall
Wall repair scheme in Abernant to take place next week
