Work will soon begin on a 50-space overflow car park in Clydach Vale to serve visitors to Cwm Clydach Country Park.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said the scheme is intended to improve road safety on the industrial estate road. The facility will be free to use, managed locally and locked each night to deter unauthorised access.
Planning consent was granted in April 2026. Horan Construction Ltd has been appointed to build the car park. Site setup will begin from 1 October, with the main construction phase from Monday 5 October. Main works are expected to last around 10 weeks, with wider improvements to follow.
The new car park will have accessible pedestrian links to Cwm Clydach Country Park and the neighbouring sports pitch. Day-to-day management will be by Cambrian Village Trust, under the same arrangements as the nearby Lakeside Café Car Park. It will be free for residents and visitors.
The facility will have a six-metre-wide access road between parking rows and a gravel or clean stone surface able to support marked bays. Fencing will go around the site perimeter and, as one of the final elements, double yellow lines will be installed on the main road. Motorists will be able to use the car park by that point.
Dedicated disabled parking and EV charging bays will be created in the nearby existing car park. Coach parking and bike shelters could be installed in the future.
Works from 5 October are expected to cause minimal disruption and be mostly confined to unused land. Residents living behind the site may be asked to move vehicles for specific elements of the work on limited occasions, and traffic parked on the main road may need to be managed at times.
The scheme is funded through Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics Fund.
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The Council has brought forward this investment to increase access to all that Clydach Vale has to offer, while alleviating the parking issues often experienced. The car park will provide 50 free-to-use spaces in this busy community area, which contains Cwm Clydach Country Park, the sports pitch facilities at Cambrian United FC, the Lakeside Café Bar, and the King George Athletics Track – also soon to be joined by Ysgol Cambrian when it opens during autumn 2026.
“The scheme will significantly improve safety for pedestrians and through-traffic, with vehicles no longer needing to park along the industrial estate road. The new car park will be managed locally ensuring it’s available when needed and closed during the nights, to deter unauthorised parking and anti-social behaviour – replicating the arrangements of the Lakeside Café Car Park.
“Thanks to the local community in advance for your cooperation as this scheme is delivered from October 5. Minimal overall disruption is expected over the weeks ahead, with only minor traffic management anticipated.”
