Residents can now find out more and have their say on draft proposals for Phase Three of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, which would create an additional walking and cycling link in Maerdy to further improve connectivity.
The overall Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route will create a 10km shared pedestrian and cycle path between Maerdy and Tylorstown, with its delivery split into five main phases of work. The Council has currently secured Welsh Government funding to construct the first two phases, and to progress the design and development of the remaining three phases for future delivery.
Phase One was recently completed in December 2023, creating a formal 3-metre wide, surfaced route from a location north of the industrial estate near the former colliery site in Maerdy, to a point near the Gateway Memorial.
Phase Two started in December 2023, to resume the route in a southernly direction from the Gateway Memorial. This 1.5km section will travel along the alignment of the old railway line – and is due for completion in spring 2024.
Consultation now underway on Phase Three proposals
The Council has started a pre-application consultation for Phase Three which, subject to funding, could be delivered in a future financial year. The proposed link would be 1.26km in length and connect the new Phase Two route (at a location near Station Street) to Blake Street and the rear of Richard Street.
A dedicated consultation page has been set up on the Council website, that enables residents to access detailed information relating to the Phase Three proposals – including location maps, design plans, drainage strategies, and supplementary technical reports. The consultation process will come to an end on Monday, February 19. Find out more and take part here.
The consultation has been advertised with notices placed locally in Maerdy, while a letter will also be sent to residents that live near to the proposed scheme. The public can have their say on any aspect of the proposals by emailing [email protected] or by writing to the Council at the Freepost address which is included on the consultation homepage.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “We’ve seen excellent recent progress made towards delivering the first two phases of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route – with Phase One completed before Christmas and Phase Two now underway for completion in Spring. These are the first of five phases to create a 10km route from Maerdy to Tylorstown, that represents a huge investment in active travel across the Rhondda Fach.
“We welcome the support for the scheme in Welsh Government’s 2023/24 Active Travel Fund, which provides funding to construct the first two phases and to develop the remaining three. The wider £3.43m allocation also included funding to develop other key schemes – realigning the Taff Trail at Trallwn, establishing a formal active travel route at Cwmbach, progressing schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres, and improving links in Church Village.
“This important investment in active travel is aimed at encouraging more people to walk or cycle their everyday journeys. This has many advantages in comparison to driving, such as improving health and well-being, protecting the environment, and reducing journey times and congestion on our roads.
“Residents can now have their say on the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Phase Three proposals, which is a planned future scheme to link the new route being created in Phase Two to Blake Street and the rear of Richard Street. Maps outlining the proposals are available as part of the wider bank of information on the Council’s website. I’d urge all interested residents to view the plans and have their say before the consultation comes to a close on February 19.”
