Link road making ‘good progress’
THE first major development works of the Mountain Ash Cross Valley link have begun.
According to Rhondda Cynon Taf council, “good progress” is being made on the scheme, starting with 10 weeks of work to resurface the Cardiff Road junction, which will introduce a new road layout and street lighting.
It follows Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s preparation works at the Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate, and the £270,000 improvements to the busy junction began on July 17.
The work is some of the first steps of the wider Cross Valley Link scheme, which is set to be completed by 2020.
The overall project will eventually see a 60m bridge built from Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road, over the Aberdare-Cardiff railway line and the River Cynon.
It will provide a link for traffic travelling on the A4059 and B4275, relieving congestion at Mountain Ash and the wider A4059/B4275 corridor.
On Tuesday, council leader and Mountain Ash West councillor, Andrew Morgan, visited the site.
He said: “The Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link scheme has long been an aspiration for local residents and this council, and with major work associated with the scheme now underway at Cardiff Road it shows that real progress is being made to make this project a reality.
“I visited the site on Tuesday morning to see how progress is being made with the Cardiff Road junction works.
“It represents the first of many projects within the wider Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link scheme, and will itself become a key junction when the new link road is in operation by 2020.
“I’m looking forward to seeing more progress with other aspects of the project – including the A4059 junction improvements – in the near future, as the council is delivering upon this long-term goal for the Cynon Valley.”
A temporary road closure from Cardiff Road’s junction with the industrial estate, to just south of Usk Villas, is now in place as part of the works.
The wider Cross Valley Link scheme will also include improvements to the A4059 junction with the industrial estate, and the council is in the process of finishing the tender process for that part of the scheme.
To date, £7.551m has been allocated to the project from council and Welsh Government investment.
Its latest funding of £1.5m was announced in March 2017 as part of its Local Transport Fund grant scheme.