Roads set for improvements worth £11.77m

THE roads in Rhondda Cynon Taff to benefit from highways improvement works over the next year have been revealed.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council cabinet passed its 2018/2019 highways capital programme on Thursday, March 22 which includes road resurfacing, strengthening and surface treatment works.

The plan includes £3.15m-worth of upgrades to existing roads across the county borough as well as £700,000 for footway repairs, £250,000 for street lighting repairs and £100,000 for car park upgrades.

A total of £11.77m is to be spent on highways technical services with £11.89m to be invested in longer term strategic projects which includes £5.05m on the previously agreed Mountain Ash Cross Valleys Link, £1m on the Llanharan Bypass and £1.5m on Tonypandy town centre improvements.

The largest carriageway improvement investment includes £250,000 to strengthen the road on William Street and Gelli-galed Road in Ystrad and £150,000 on treating the surface on Brynfynnon in Ynysybwl.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said the approval ensures “continued significant investment” into the highways network.

He said: “In 2017/18, almost £20m was invested in highways and transportation schemes by the council, and the nowagreed 2018/19 programme will ensure we have another busy year ahead in order to further improve and future-proof our highways network, which is one of the council’s most significant assets.

“The £11.89m allocated for strategic projects will see further progress in delivering a range of larger schemes to improve connectivity and economic activity – including our flagship Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link, Llanharan Bypass and A4119 dualling schemes.

“The 2018/19 programme allows us to continue to be proactive in pursuing external investment to help deliver local schemes – at which we were very successful during 2017/18.

“Looking forward, the council has been invited to submit further bids for Welsh Government grants related to road safety, safe routes in the community, local transport network fund and local transport fund, which will complement to the nowagreed 2018/19 capital programme.”

The spending plans were passed unanimously by members.