Work will begin to upgrade links for cyclists at three locations in Llantwit Fardre and Efail Isaf. The scheme is being delivered via Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, and the work will cause minimal disruption locally.

The Council has appointed Calibre Contracting Ltd to deliver the scheme, which starts on Monday, July 24. Aside from minor footway obstructions, the work is not expected to cause disruption to the community. The scheme will last around eight weeks, and will upgrade cycle links at the following locations:

The northern end of Ffordd Glas-y-Dorlan in Llantwit Fardre, where it meets the Llantrisant Road roundabout. The work will focus on the southern side of the roundabout (the side nearest the residential area).

The footpath between Aspen Way and Clod Cefn Glas in Llantwit Fardre, at the western end of Aspen Way. The existing path off Aspen Way, which carries a local link over the river, will be the works area.

Heol Dowlais and Heol Creigiau in Efail Isaf – two nearby junctions will be improved, in the area where the two roads meet Crown Hill.

The Council has successfully secured a total of £3.43m from the Active Travel Fund in 2023/24, to progress many schemes that will improve the walking and cycling routes at targeted locations. The project funding for the upcoming work in Church Village and Efail Isaf is included in the Fund’s Core Allocation.

The upcoming work forms part of a wider range of proposals aimed at improving Active Travel links to key community facilities within the wider Church Village area, including to and from the Church Village Community Route.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “We have again welcomed significant investment from Welsh Government – which was announced in June – to deliver further improvements to walking and cycling routes via the Active Travel Fund. The upcoming scheme in Llantwit Fardre and Efail Isaf will begin on July 24, to establish a dedicated provision for cyclists at each of the three locations, alongside the existing footways.

“The Council continues to upgrade Active Travel provision as part of its effort to promote walking and cycling as part of people’s everyday journeys. This is a priority area of investment to help improve people’s health and wellbeing, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the environment in line with our climate change goals and commitments.

“The £3.43m secured from the Active Travel Fund in 2023/24 will help deliver Taff Trail improvements at Trallwn, establish a dedicated active travel route in Cwmbach and progress key schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres. Significant funding has also been secured for five phases of work as part of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route – with work to phase one recently starting on site in Maerdy.

“The upcoming scheme for Llantwit Fardre and Efail Isaf will get underway on Monday, and the contractor has indicated that there is likely to be minimal disruption to residents beyond minor obstructions on the footway. I’d like to thank the community for their cooperation as the improvements are delivered.”