Fourth phase of community route through Rhondda Fach to be built

Work to construct the next phase of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route – the section that stretches across Ferndale – will begin from this week. There is expected to be minimal overall disruption to the community throughout.

The Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route will create a 10km pedestrian and cycle path between Maerdy and Tylorstown, and will be delivered across five phases of work. Phase one was completed in late 2023, from a location north of the Maerdy industrial estate to a point near the Gateway Memorial. Phase two has been completed recently. It resumes the route through Maerdy, with the path heading 1.5km south along the alignment of the former railway line

Planning consent for phases three and four respectively were both approved by the Planning and Development Committee during early June 2024.

Phase three will improve the existing cycle path in Maerdy (National Cycle Network Route 881) and create a new 1.5km path leading to Richard Street and Ferndale Swimming Pool. This phase continues to be in development, and funding will continue to be sought to deliver this element of the scheme.

The Council has now appointed Horan Construction Ltd to deliver phase four, with construction work starting this week.

This phase is expected to be completed during early spring 2025, and the construction phase is being funded via the 2024/25 Active Travel Fund.

Phase four will continue the route that was built in phase two, upgrading the path on the alignment of the old railway line. It will stretch across Ferndale from a point north of Ffaldau Terrace (near Maerdy) to a point north-east of Dolycoed Funeral Home (Tylorstown), passing Blaenllechau. This phase of work also includes creating a new link to Avon Street at the northern end of Ferndale, and constructing a bridge and repairing another in Blaenllechau.

Overall disruption is expected to be minimal as the route is largely located away from residential properties. However, the section at Blaenllechau and the former station site is an exception to this, with homes located nearby.

The path created in phase two will remain closed for the initial stages of constructing phase four, as it provides access to the new 30-metre bridge that is being built (Blaenllechau North Bridge). There will also be some disruption to the rear lane off Taff Street, Blaenllechau. Pedestrian access will largely be maintained – the contractor will liaise with residents when access is restricted.

Meanwhile, the Council has also received funding to develop the design of phase five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, as part of an allocation within Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund for 2024/25.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The Council is committed to delivering this significant investment for the Rhondda Fach – creating a 10km shared pedestrian and cycle path from Maerdy to Tylorstown, with plans in the future to link it to the remediated Tylorstown Landslip site. Good progress has been made in recent months, with phases one and two now built, and phases three and four receiving planning consent last month.

“We have received important funding support from Welsh Government to deliver the phase four works through its 2024/25 Active Travel Fund. The allocation included a £4.26m investment to construct the path in Ferndale, while completing design work for a future fifth phase of the wider route.

“The total allocation to Rhondda Cynon Taf from this year’s Fund was £6.25m, helping us to progress and deliver several other Active Travel improvement schemes during the current financial year. These include Taff Trail upgrades in Trallwn, Cynon Trail improvements in Cwmbach, separate town centre enhancements in Aberdare and Pontypridd, and upgrading Riverside Bridge in Llwydcoed – with work on this scheme recently getting underway on July 8.

“The upcoming work on the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route in Ferndale will begin on Monday, July 15, and the Council will work closely with its appointed contractor to make positive progress over the weeks ahead. Overall disruption is expected to be minimal, with the exception of some localised works at Blaenllechau, where a section of the route runs near to residential areas. Thanks in advance to the community for your cooperation throughout.”