RCT Council is giving advanced notice of road closures required on a section of the A4059 Aberdare Bypass to enable ongoing drainage works – including an all-day Sunday closure followed by four overnight closures.

In March, work started on a significant £500,000 scheme funded by Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Grant, targeted at a 400-metre section of the A4059 between Asda and Tinney’s Roundabouts. The road is adjacent to the River Cynon at this location and has been historically susceptible to flooding.

The scheme includes raising the level and profile of the carriageway, the removal of kerbs and the introduction of shallow swales alongside the road. The work is aimed at making the carriageway less likely to flood, and if it does flood, ensuring that water disperses from the highway more quickly.

Upcoming weekend work (June 12-14), along with four overnight shifts (June 14-18) will focus on raising the level of the carriageway. Due to the nature of the work, contractor Centregreat UK will require full road closures from:

Saturday, June 12 (9pm), to Monday, June 14 (6am) – including all day on Sunday (June 13).
Monday, June 14 (8pm), to Tuesday, June 15 (6am).
Tuesday, June 15 (8pm), to Wednesday, June 16 (6am).
Wednesday, June 16 (8pm), to Thursday, June 17 (6am).
Thursday, June 17 (8pm), to Friday, June 18 (6am).

During these times, the A4059 will close between Asda and Tinney’s Roundabouts, with an alternative route clearly signposted. Motorists should proceed via Cwmbach Roundabout, Canal Road, Cwmbach Road, Abernant Roundabout, Ynys Roundabout and A4059 – or this route in reverse order.

Tall vehicles (exceeding 12ft) should be aware of the low bridge next to Aberdare Railway Station, and should therefore proceed from Abernant Roundabout to Wellington Street and Meirion Street Roundabout, before resuming the alternative route via the A4059 – or this route in reverse order.

Access will not be maintained for pedestrians or emergency service vehicles for the duration of the closures, but no public transport routes are affected.

The footpath from Lower Station Street, which crosses the A4059, will be closed during the road closure periods. An alternative route is via Cardiff Road, Park Road, Davis Street and the footbridge leading to Glan yr Afon.

Motorists are reminded that during these works the temporary 30mph speed limit between Asda and Tinney’s roundabouts will remain in place for the safety of the public and workforce.

This scheme is being delivered via Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads grant, from which the Council has benefitted from significant recent funding allocations. In 2020/21, it received £4.9m for highway drainage schemes at 16 locations in Rhondda and Cynon Valley – including significant works at Porth Relief Road (at Ynyshir) and the A4059 (from Penywaun to Trecynon).

That was followed by the Council securing an additional £2.75m from the grant during March 2021, to further progress targeted drainage improvements at 19 identified locations within the Rhondda and Cynon Valley areas

The Council would like to thank residents and road users for their cooperation during these works – which will help deliver significant drainage improvements at a busy location which has historically presented a flood risk in heavy rain.