Work has begun on a major road project to make part of the A4119 in Rhondda Cynon Taf into a dual carriageway in a bid to ease congestion and improve journey times in the area. The council and UK Government have confirmed work started on Monday, August 15 to dual 1.5km of the road from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters roundabout to the Coed-Ely roundabout.
The project also involves a new route for pedestrians and cyclists along the west of the carriageway, from Coed-Ely roundabout to Llantrisant Business Park, as well as a brand-new bridge south of Coed-Ely roundabout. The aim of the scheme is improve connectivity and traffic flow in this area and reduce the average travel time along the A4119 between Ynys Maerdy and Coed-Ely by over five minutes – a reduction of over 60%.
The hope is that it will unlock the former colliery site, Parc Coed-Elai, which is the location of the council’s new modern business unit, with the wider site being developed by Welsh Government. The council has also said that the scheme will improve active travel for the local community at Coed Ely.
Read more: Mum fined for 'offensive' number plate wanted to make people smile after son's tragic death
The council received £11.4m funding from the UK Government’s £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund which, along with funding from the council and Welsh Government, will fund the construction phase. The UK Government said a £30 million boost to the local economy is expected and thousands of new jobs are set to be created by improving access to Cardiff and key development sites such as the Llantrisant Business Park.
The council has also announced there will be changes to traffic arrangements in the area as a result but to minimise the disruption, all necessary lane closures will be used at night. There will be a temporary 40mph speed limit in place on the A4119 for safety reasons from Ely Meadow roundabout to Ynysmaerdy roundabout, north-westwards from Coed Ely roundabout for 1.25km, and between Coed Ely and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) roundabouts.
A temporary 30mph speed limit will be in place between Ynysmaerdy and the SWFRS roundabouts, and on all approaches to Coed Ely roundabout. There will also be a temporary restriction on overtaking between the SWFRS roundabout to a point 1.25km north-west of Coed Ely roundabout.
The more disruptive overnight works will take place between 9pm and 6am when needed with advanced warning signs put in place seven days before each night work shift begins. A temporary 10mph speed limit will sometimes be needed from the Ely Meadow Roundabout to a point 1.25km north-west of Coed Ely Roundabout.
Temporary road closures will be needed sometimes between the SWFRS and Coed Ely roundabouts. An alternative route will be available via the A4119 to Tonypandy roundabout, A4058 to Pontypridd, A470 to Upper Boat, Tonteg Road, and route A473 via Talbot Green and Llantrisant but access will be maintained for emergency services during these road closures.
Temporary footpath closures and a temporary prohibition of cyclists will be used when necessary between Ynysmaerdy and Coed Ely roundabouts. An alternative route for pedestrians and cyclists is via Ynysallan Footbridge, Ynysmaerdy Terrace, the former railway line and Mynydd Garthmaelwg Road.
The project is due to be completed in 2024. UK Government roads minister Baroness Vere said: “Local schemes like this will transform journeys for communities and bring many benefits, from easing congestion and improving air quality, to improving access to employment opportunities and boosting the local economy.
“The £11.4 million we provided for the A4119 will future-proof connections to south Wales and the Rhondda Valleys for years to come." Secretary of State for Levelling Up Greg Clark said: “Our Levelling Up agenda is all about ensuring communities are better connected and people up and down the country have equal access to opportunities.
“The new A4119 in Wales will boost the local economy, create jobs and improve local infrastructure for the people of Wales, demonstrating levelling up in action and making a sustainable difference for years to come. I am proud that almost half of this funding has been provided by our Levelling Up Fund.” Secretary of state for Wales Robert Buckland said: “The UK Government is focused on levelling up our communities, boosting the economy and increasing opportunity for people right across Wales.
“We have recently provided funding for more than 150 fantastic projects the length and breadth of the country, including this much-needed dual carriageway in the heart of south Wales, to help unlock the potential of all our local areas. We will continue to provide investment where it’s needed and where it can make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Councillor Andrew Morgan, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The dualling scheme is a priority investment to significantly improve local connectivity to the strategic Rhondda Gateway region, by improving traffic flow in this busy commuter area. It will unlock the former colliery site, Parc Coed-elái, which is the location of the council’s new modern business unit, with the wider site being developed by Welsh Government. The scheme will also improve active travel provision for the local community at Coed Ely.”
To get more news from across RCT directly to your inbox subscribe to our dedicated weekly newsletters here.
What do you think about this story? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
READ NEXT:
-
Drone images show scale of wildfire still raging near popular Welsh beach after two days
-
Cardiff to get a new railway station with work beginning this year
-
Energy giants to pay households £66 every month straight into bank accounts from October
-
Plan outlined to take water from Welsh reservoir and send it to London to solve drought
-
Huge heatwave grass fires continue to cause disruption with busy mountain road closed
