A detailed inspection of the rock netting next to the Rhigos Mountain Road will be undertaken this summer following last year’s large wildfire. Additional traffic lights will be used, but no full road closure is required.
The fire took place in August 2022 causing significant damage to the hillside, plastic and wire netting, and areas of fencing. The road reopened in early September 2022 following emergency works, and temporary traffic lights have remained in place to direct traffic away from the high-risk area of rock netting.
The Council has appointed Alun Griffiths Ltd as the contractor to inspect the large area affected by the fire, which will last around five weeks from Monday, June 12. The rock netting is located adjacent to the A4061 on the Rhigos side of the mountain route – and the inspection will facilitate the design of repairs or replacements needed to the system, which will be constructed on site next year (2024/25) subject to the necessary approvals.
The inspection will take place over an area of approximately 1,500-metres, and requires a lane closure of the southbound carriageway. This will be facilitated by temporary two-way traffic lights over a maximum length of 300-metres at any time, which will be relocated as the inspection progresses.
Please note that the existing single lane closure on the A4061 will need to remain in place throughout the inspection to ensure safety, so there will be times when there are two sections of lane closure in place.
If the inspection discovers any emergency defects that need to be repaired urgently, these could be rectified by works in the upcoming school summer holiday ahead of the main scheme next summer. However, this is entirely dependent on the result of the inspection report from the contractor.
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “The upcoming inspection of the rock netting next to the Rhigos Mountain Road is important to assess the latest condition of the mountainside following last summer’s fire, and to inform the design and construction of a final scheme to rectify the damage. These main works will then be planned for next summer.
“The inspection can be carried out without needing a full road closure of the mountain route, avoiding major travel disruption for residents and commuters. However, additional traffic management is required on top of the temporary lights that are currently in place, so journey times will be longer during the inspection. Thanks to residents and road users for your cooperation over the weeks ahead, as the condition of the mountainside is assessed.”
