Plans for new bypass to ease valley congestion
AMAJOR bypass could be built across a large part of the Rhondda Valley in a bid to alleviate traffic issues, if plans being considered by RCT council get the go ahead.
The bypass could link the A4058, which runs from Ystrad to Treorchy, to the B4223, which connects Pandy New Road to The Maindy in Gelli – and the A4061 in Ynyswen.
Around £200,000 has been allocated to fund investigatory works into the relief road, in a bid to alleviate the “long-standing congestion issues” at Stag Square in Treorchy.
Plans for a Gelli/Treorchy relief road are included in RCT council’s Local Development Plan, and an outline for a major road scheme has been indicated on its proposals map.
The map shows the road running from Gelli Community Recycling Centre on Nant-Y-Gwyddon Road, across the mountain towards Maindy Road and cutting across towards Treorchy over Ty Pentwyn Nursing Home.
The road then forks and cuts up towards Treorchy High Street, while another carriageway goes past Treorchy Park, Treorchy Comprehensive School and alongside the railway line on Abergorki Industrial Estate, before joining onto Baglan Street in Ynyswen.
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.
A further report will be brought forward by the end of the current financial year outlining any options for the scheme for cabinet members to consider.
Treorchy councillor and local businesswoman Alison Chapman said: “Whilst we welcome initiatives to relieve the pressure on Stag Square, I am not sure whether the Gelli/Treorchy link road will help the situation.
“The cost of the proposed link road is a major issue, and there are also technical difficulties, such as a road next to the railway line, especially with the track dualling.
“With regard to whether a bypass that takes the majority of traffic out of Treorchy is in the best interests of the town, I would say this would have a detrimental impact on the town.
“We have seen, all to often, the devastating effects bypasses have had on town centres, and this is not something that would be in the best interests of the town and the community.”
A statement from RCT council said: “Proposals for a relief road between the middle and upper Rhondda Fawr are included in the Local Development Plan – and the council is considering options to alleviate traffic issues, including a bypass taking traffic out of Treorchy, potentially addressing the longstanding congestion issues at Stag Square. It is therefore appropriate to investigate options for a substantive project offering a resolution – possibly following the same principles as the Cross Valley Link in Mountain Ash.
“A £200,000 allocation to fund investigatory works has now been approved.”