Delivering £7.6m improvements for roads and footways in 2020/2

The Council has allocated a total of £6.3m for road improvements and £1.3m for footway works during 2020/21 – with 14 schemes completed in April and May while observing social distancing guidance.

The funding forms part of the wider £25.02m Highways and Transportation Capital Programme for this year, which was previously agreed by Council, and includes further substantial investment in local roads and footways. Work to improve our highways network has continued since April 1 despite the Coronavirus national emergency – initially focusing on open areas, as residential streets currently pose challenges due to social distancing and increased parking.

As of Monday, June 1, a further seven carriageway schemes were underway across the County Borough, along with one ongoing footway scheme.

Last year, 96 carriageway improvements and 42 footway works were completed – as the Council continues its accelerated investment, delivered over a number of years, to maintain and future-proof its highway network.

This sustained investment has resulted in a reduction in the percentage of roads in Rhondda Cynon Taf which require maintenance comparing favourably to other Local Authorities in Wales. This includes 4.7% of ‘A’ Roads requiring investment last year compared to 16.2% nine years ago – while a similar trend is seen in in ‘B’ Roads (15.2% in 2010/11 to 6.2% last year) and ‘C’ Roads (15.3% to 3.5%).

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “I’m pleased the Council’s investment in its highways and transport network has been able continue over the past couple of months as we start delivering our £25.03m capital investment for this financial year.

“As part of this, £6.3m has been allocated for highway improvements alongside a £1.3m allocation for footways. In total, 14 carriageway schemes have been completed since April 1, with workers adhering to social distancing guidance.

“Our work is targeting open areas at this time rather than residential streets, and a number of significant schemes have been completed at Llantrisant Road, Main Avenue in Treforest, Pentrebach Road in Glyntaff, Penrhiwfer Road in Tonyrefail and a substantial section of the A4058 at Hopkinstown. We also took the opportunity to resurface Stag Square in Treorchy during mid-May – taking advantage of fewer vehicles on the road due to the lockdown, while utilising a series of evening road closures.”