A major milestone has been reached in the development of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, with the final section between Ferndale and Tylorstown now open to the public.
The opening completes the main 10km walking and cycling route connecting communities from Tylorstown to Maerdy, following years of planning and construction supported by Welsh Government funding.
The multi-million-pound scheme has been a long-standing commitment for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and has been delivered in partnership with Transport for Wales, which has provided administration and advisory support throughout the project.
Work on the route began in 2023 and has been delivered in five phases. The newly-opened phase five section, where construction started in June 2025, follows the route of the former railway line between Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre in Ferndale and the Stanleytown overbridge, where it connects with the Porth Relief Road community route.
A significant part of the latest phase has been the installation of three new footbridges. Pont Pendyrus has replaced the former leisure centre footbridge, while the new Tylorstown North and South bridges have replaced ageing railway structures that were beyond repair.
The council says the new bridges are wider and meet modern active travel standards, making the route more accessible for walkers, cyclists and other users.
Additional work is continuing to create links from the main route to Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre and Tylorstown Surgery, with the council expected to announce opening dates for these connections in due course.
While the main route is now complete, phase three remains an aspiration for the future. This section would create a new 1.5km path linking Maerdy with Richard Street and Ferndale Swimming Pool. Planning consent for the scheme was secured in 2024, and funding is currently being sought to allow the project to move forward.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Capital Infrastructure, said:
“This major investment across several Rhondda Fach communities has established a 10km dedicated walking and cycling route from Maerdy through to Tylorstown. We’ve now reached the important milestone of the entire main route being completed, with the last section from Ferndale to Tylorstown opening in the last few days. Phase five works have also included installing three new bridges that comply to modern active travel standards, while new links to Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre and Tylorstown Surgery will follow.
“We’ve welcomed important support from Welsh Government and Transport for Wales over a number of years to design and deliver the scheme, with the first construction works starting in 2023. Various phases of the project have secured Active Travel Fund investment, enabling the progress made to date. We’ve so far had excellent feedback from completed sections of the route, and I’m looking forward to visiting the newly-opened phase five to celebrate the completion milestone.
“Active travel is a priority area of investment for the Council, and we’ll soon be updating the Active Travel Network Map for Rhondda Cynon Taf – asking residents for their input in a summer consultation that has recently got underway, before using the public’s feedback to make amendments. Encouraging people to walk and cycle every day has so many advantages – improving health and well-being, reducing traffic congestion, lowering journey times, and protecting the environment.
“In March 2026, the Council secured the latest active travel funding from Welsh Government via the Cardiff Capital Region Regional Transport Fund. Funded schemes for 2026/27 include improving access to Pontypridd Bus Station and creating better connections in the town centre, designing the active travel elements of the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor, and delivering the latest Safe Routes in Communities Scheme in Penywaun.”
The completion of the main route marks a significant boost for active travel in the Rhondda Fach, providing a dedicated corridor for walking and cycling while improving connections between communities throughout the valley.
