Go-ahead for a new road

THE Mountain Ash cross valley link - which will see a bridge built over the River Cynon - has come a step closer after planners gave it the go-ahead.

THE Mountain Ash cross valley link has come a step closer after planners gave it the go-ahead.

The huge project will see a bridge built over the Aberdare to Cardiff railway line and the River Cynon, from the Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road.

It will provide a new link for traffic travelling on the A4059 and B4275, easing congestion in and around Mountain Ash, as well as on the A4059 – the Cynon Valley’s major artery road.

The plans for the link road and its bridge were given the go-ahead at RCT council’s development control committee meeting last Thursday, after the council released a video detailing how it would help ease congestion. Earlier this week, the local authority also announced it would soon invite new designs and proposals to be submitted by contractors. The successful contractor will then be required to work up detailed designs and costs and a programme of works.

Council leader Andrew Morgan, also cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “Planning permission is a major landmark for the project and one that will allow the council to take these plans forward.

“Ensuring the Mountain Ash cross valley link becomes a reality is one of this council’s investment priorities, and once completed in 2019/20, the new road will make a huge difference to hundreds of commuters around Mountain Ash on a daily basis – as well as commuters travelling on the wider A4059.”

Councillor Pauline Jarman added: “I was delighted, as local Member for Mountain Ash East to be the lead spokesperson at last Thursday’s Development Control Committee.

“The Committee voting unanimously to approve my motion that the Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link be granted planning permission albeit the completion date has slipped into 2020.

“I would like to thank the Committee for supporting my motion to approve the project and look forward to the next stage in the development. “

The initial proposals revealed the scale of the project – with a 60m bridge planned to link the roads which currently run on either side of the river.

Last week, the council’s cabinet was told more than £6m has been allocated to the project – from the local authority and Welsh Government funding.

Further investigative works will take place at the site from March 27.