Following the installation of drainage infrastructure, the main work to create 52 car park spaces at Treorchy Railway Station will get underway shortly – with minimal local disruption expected, as the facility is being built on unused land.
RCT Council is supporting Transport for Wales to create the new Park and Ride facility on land off Clos Ystradfechan. This site is located south of Cae Mawr football pitch and south-east of the railway station – beyond the small existing car park which is pictured. The site is owned by Transport for Wales and was most-recently used as a compound for railway electrification work.
In July 2024, initial work got underway to build a drainage pipeline adjacent to the football pitch, along with an attenuation tank north of the pitch. Rainwater from the new car park will be transported along this route to the river, via the allotments. These drainage works have now been substantially completed.
Work will progress to the main construction phase in early November 2024, which will establish the new parking facility. Transport for Wales has advised this phase of work is scheduled for completion in spring 2025.
Overall, 52 car parking spaces will be created – 43 standard spaces, six EV charging spaces and three disabled spaces. The site will include sustainable drainage through seven rain gardens, each about the size of a parking space.
Contractor Centregreat Ltd will require the small car park currently serving Treorchy Railway Station to be brought out of use for the duration of the construction phase. Minimal further disruption is expected in the community.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has provided funding for the construction cost of the scheme, via its 2024/25 Highways and Transportation Capital Programme.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “It’s very important that we continue to encourage more people to use public transport as an alternative to driving their everyday journeys – and providing new Park and Ride facilities, such as this in Treorchy, will greatly increase accessibility for residents. This will have a knock-on effect of reducing congestion on our roads, shortening local journey times, and protecting the environment.
“The Treorchy Park and Ride scheme will represent a large improvement on the existing provision – upgrading the small car park that currently serves the station to a 52-space facility with sustainable drainage. We are supporting this scheme with a capital investment of around £733,000, as an important project to complement the South Wales Metro’s delivery – enabling residents to take advantage of the increased frequency of rail services on the Rhondda lines.
“Initial drainage work to complement the main scheme got underway in July, and this is now nearing completion – which will enable construction of the car park from early next month. The Council will continue to work with Transport for Wales and the project contractor to make progress. Limited disruption is expected locally due to the position of the site, which is currently vacant and will be brought back into use. Thanks to the community for your cooperation.”
