Council launches active travel route consultation

Anthony Lewis – Local Democracy Reporter

A council is asking for people’s views on the latest and final phase of a new active tavel route along a former railway line.

Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council has launched a consultation into phase five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route which will be a new walking and cycling route between Maerdy and Stanleytown in the Rhondda Fach Valley.

The route will follow the alignment of the former railway line along the valley floor and will include links to local communities, shops, schools and leisure facilities.

The route has been split into five phases. Phase one was completed in January, 2024 and phase two was completed in July 2024.

Funding

Phases three and four received planning permission in June, 2024 with phase four currently under construction and due to be completed in the late spring of 2025.

Phase five is due to be completed in the spring of 2026, depending on funding availability.

Phase five of the route will provide a new shared use route along the former railway line between Blaenllechau and Stanleytown with links to Rhondda Fach Sports Centre and Tylorstown Surgery.

It will start at the southern end of phase four, which is due to be completed next spring, and end at Stanleytown overbridge in Llanwonno Road connecting it to the Porth Relief Road community route.

Phase five will be approximately 2.8km long with the entire route set to be around 7km long.

The design and access statement submitted with the plans said that the proposed route would improve strategic active travel connectivity within Rhondda Cynon Taf.

It also said that it would provide a safer active travel route for commuters travelling down the valley and pupils of Ferndale Community School to walk or cycle to school.

Construction

It added that the design and construction of phase five would acknowledge the sensitivity of its natural surroundings by adhering to the biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures recommended in the ecological impact assessment for the site and that construction working hours would be constrained and that the phasing and programming of site works would be planned to reduce impact on residents and local businesses.

The council said that all correspondence should be received no later than September 16.

People can contact the council by post via Freepost RUGK-EZZL-ELBH, Consultation Team, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Third Floor Office, 2 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd CF37 4TH or by emailing [email protected]