The major mountainside repairs at Rhigos Mountain Road are now entering their final few days. The Council can confirm that substantial work completion, and the reopening of the road, is still on course for Friday, November 22. However, the reopening date is subject to the weather conditions with snow and ice potentially impacting work and causing a delay.
Earlier this month, the Council provided a progress update on the final phase of work, which has proven extremely challenging – and provided an updated timescale that would ensure the safe and full completion of this complex repair scheme. The scheme remains within its contractual completion timescale.
The Council can confirm that the road is on course to re-open by the evening of November 22. This is subject to continued fair weather, with wintry conditions currently within the wider region. The Council will inform residents about the arrangements on Friday, once finalised.
The mountain road between Treherbert and Rhigos has been closed since July 22, as an absolutely necessary measure to ensure safety throughout the large remediation scheme. This was essential following a previous wildfire at the Treherbert end of the road, which had caused major damage across a significant area of the mountainside, as well as its netting and fencing.
Without this work being completed thoroughly and fully, the rockface could have deteriorated further. In this scenario, it was possible that an emergency road closure would have been needed over a much longer period of time.
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “The Council’s previous announcement indicated that Rhigos Mountain Road would reopen on November 22 following the mountainside repairs – and we can confirm that this is still the position. Our contractor will carry out its final works, and vacate the site, over the coming days – aiming for the road to reopen by Friday evening. The traffic lights that were previously in place are no longer needed.
“Over the summer and autumn months, the contractor’s workforce has made considerable efforts in a very challenging environment – and while the final phase of work has taken longer than first expected, the overall progress has been significant and a real achievement. The completed scheme will rectify damage caused by the previous fire, and ensure this commuter route between Treherbert and Rhigos remains available for communities into the future.
“We’d like to thank residents and road users for their continued patience during the closure period. We do not underestimate the disruption that these works have caused, however, the scheme was absolutely necessary to future-proof the road and avoid an emergency closure over an even longer period.”
The Council will inform residents when the Rhigos Mountain Road has re-opened on Friday – keep an eye on social media accounts for this information (‘@RCTCouncil’ on X, ‘Rhondda Cynon Taf’ on Facebook).
