Big funding boost for infrastructure projects
ROADS and infrastructure projects including the Llantrisant Community Route and Mountain Ash cross valley link have received a big financial boost.
A total of £1.39m has been allocated by the Welsh Government for projects around Rhondda Cynon Taf, with the council saying the funds were secured as highways are a “priority issue” in the county borough.
The government’s Local Transport Fund has allocated £300,000 to the Llantrisant Community Route – a walking and cycling path spanning the Talbot Green and Llantrisant Town.
It has also allocated £50,000 apiece for strategic studies into two major transportation corridors, the A4119 and A473.
Announced last week, it also provided an additional £500,000 funding to the flagship Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link Scheme, which will improve traffic flow along the A4059 Cynon Valley corridor. The scheme now has £9m funding in total.
A £210,000 road safety grant will be used to contribute towards the funding of a road safety scheme at the B4595 Llantrisant Road and Gwaunmiskin Road Junction – known locally as ‘Beddau Halt’.
Meanwhile, safe routes in the communities funding will further progress schemes in Ystrad (£45,000) and Porth (£235,000), which had already received funding from the Welsh Government in April 2017.
The council said these projects will improve road safety and encourage walking and cycling in the local communities.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “Improving the county borough’s highways, for the benefit of local residents, is a priority issue for this council through our wider £200m #RCTinvest scheme.
“However, it is also important that the council seeks external investment, where possible, to help fund local highway projects – and I welcome the announcement of this latest support from the Welsh Government.
“The council will continue to seek additional external funding for local projects in the future.”