Details of plans to re-open historic railway tunnel revealed

Anthony Lewis Local Democracy Reporter

Details of the first stage of plans to re-open a historic railway tunnel to pedestrians and cyclists have been revealed.

A planning application is being considered by Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council on Thursday, January 15, for the excavation of land to expose the Blaencwm portal of the Rhondda Tunnel.

The applicant, The Rhondda Tunnel Society, has said the proposals are considered to mark the first steps in the long-term strategic objective of unlocking the Rhondda Tunnel to allow for pedestrian and cycle access between the Rhondda and Upper Afan Valley.

The aim of the Rhondda Tunnel Society is to create a “unique visitor experience” in the north of Rhondda Cynon Taf, which attracts people of all ages and abilities to the longest walking and cycling tunnel in Europe.

If approved this application will open up the tunnel entrance to allow exploration works on the tunnel structure once initial ground works are carried out within the area of the covered entrance.

In total it is proposed to remove a total of 8,000 cubic metres worth of spoil.

The majority of the existing field containing the entrance portal will require soil removal in order to uncover the portal entrance.

A large area within the south of the site will be used to deposit the excavated earth and spoil and this will be left to regenerate naturally with some seeding with a neutral grass mix in order to allow for the establishment of native species over time.

The applicant has said that it is an appropriate area to deposit soil as it is not considered to be visible from public viewing.

The Rhondda Tunnel was closed to rail traffic in 1968 and both approach cuttings had been filled with colliery waste by 1981.

The tunnel is currently owned by the Westminster Department for Transport and managed by Highways England and ownership rules prevent it from being re-opened without ownership being transferred to another suitable body.

The Rhondda Tunnel Society has said detailed examination of the tunnel and its structural integrity was conducted by Balfour Beatty in 2018, which identified that the tunnel was in excellent condition barring some sections which require repair work.

Measures which will mitigate and enhance the local landscape and biodiversity are proposed including the planting of trees of a similar age and size to those which are planned to be removed, landscape management to support native habitats, compliance with identified root protection zones to ensure no detrimental impacts on trees and flora and fauna, the seasonal removal of vegetation outside of the bird nesting season, and the safe and secure covering of all excavations with means of escape included for any mammals.

Planting of a grass-seed mix along the banks running either side of the excavated area near the tunnel’s entrance portal is also proposed.

Letters of support 

Two letters of support welcoming the re-opening of the tunnel as a tourism feature were received from the public as well as letters from Joel James MS, Rhys ab Owen MS, Andrew RT Davies MS, the Railway Heritage Trust, and Heledd Fychan MS.

In recommending approval planning officers say in their report: “The application is the first stage of a project that will eventually see the Rhondda Tunnel being reopened and adapted to provide a walking and cycle route.

“The opening of the portal will help facilitate any repairs and maintenance necessary and will represent a symbolic commencement of a project that has been at the discussion stage for a number of years.

“The opening of the portal simply reinstates (for most part) the situation that existed prior to 1980 while the deposition of excavated material is considered both policy-compliant and acceptable in ecology terms.”