Rhondda Cynon Taf Council submits planning application for A465 Cynon Gateway North

THE Council has submitted a planning application for the future A465 Cynon Gateway North (link road to A465) highways scheme – an important landmark following the Pre Application Consultation that took place during autumn 2020.

The future scheme will extend the A4059 by 1.2km – from a point between Trecynon and Hirwaun, heading north to create a new link to the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road. It will be delivered alongside the Welsh Government’s dualling of the A465 from Hirwaun to Dowlais Top, linking into the new section of the A4059 at a new junction at Croesbychan.

The A465 Cynon Gateway North will have substantial regional and local benefits – by improving connectivity between Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Heads of the Valleys area promoting economic activity. Road safety will be improved and traffic through Llwydcoed will be reduced as a result of the A465 dualling scheme. It will also provide reduced journey times for local commuters.

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The Council hosted a Pre Application Consultation over four weeks in October and November 2020, to inform residents about the proposed scheme and receive their feedback on it. Residents could access a dedicated consultation webpage which included a virtual video tour of the new road. The process also included a survey, along with an online public meeting with Officers.

The latest landmark for the scheme was achieved on Friday, February 26, when a planning application was formally submitted – for consideration by the Council’s Planning and Development Committee in the coming months.

The submission will be available on the Council’s Planning Portal for members of the public to view in detail and comment on – including the Pre Application Consultation report which was produced following the engagement exercise.

Following the feedback received from consultees, the Council has committed to improving the existing active travel network that is frequently used by the surrounding communities. This will include resurfacing and drainage works along the old tram road (National Cycle Network 46) and the replacement of Savannah Bridge. Further details will be provided as the scheme progresses.

In addition, following discussions with Cadw, the Council will produce a future management plan for the Gamlyn Viaduct (ancient monument). Overall, the response to the development has been positive, with support from members of the public and other consultees.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said:

“The Council remains committed to delivering the Cynon Gateway North to vastly improve connectivity between the upper Cynon Valley and the Heads of the Valleys region. Residents living in surrounding communities will benefit from greatly reduced travelling times, which will also have a knock-on effect of increasing road safety through Llwydcoed as well as fewer carbon emissions.

“It is the Council’s latest major highways infrastructure scheme, following the delivery of the Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link in October 2020. The Cynon Gateway North will continue to be developed alongside the Llanharan Bypass and A4119 dualling from Coed Ely to Ynysmaerdy – which are each making positive progress behind the scenes for delivery in a future financial year.

“It was pleasing to see the positive overall feedback on the Cynon Gateway North received during autumn’s engagement exercise. The Council has taken on board the feedback, including from statutory consultees, and has included a number of actions within the planning submission – such as commitments in relation to Active Travel, historical structures and the local environment.

“In September 2020, Cabinet Members granted officers authority to progress a number aspects of the scheme, including finalising a Compulsory Purchase Order and submitting a planning application – and the achievement of this on Friday represents the latest major landmark towards work starting on site.”