Planning Permission For Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link
A major landmark has been reached by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in its flagship Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link project after planning permission was granted on Thursday evening.
The Council is investing in the major project which will see a bridge built over the Aberdare-Cardiff railway line and the River Cynon, from the Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road. The new road will effectively provide a new link for traffic travelling on the A4059 and the B4275.
It will provide relief for traffic congestion which is currently a problem in and around Mountain Ash, and will have a knock-on improvement for traffic on the A4059 – the major artery road through the Cynon Valley.
Earlier this week Cabinet Members were updated on progress – and were told the Council will soon invite design and build proposals to be submitted by potential contractors. They were also told that more than £6m had now been allocated to the project, with significant support from the Welsh Government.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “Confirmation that planning permission for this scheme has been approved is a major landmark for the project and one that will allow the Council to take these significant plans forward.
“Ensuring the Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link becomes a reality is one of this Council’s investment priorities, and once completed in 2019/20 the new road will make a huge difference to hundreds of commuters around Mountain Ash on a daily basis – as well as commuters travelling on the wider A4059.
“The plans show the scale of the project – with a 60 metre bridge planned to link the roads which currently run on either side of the river, and huge improvements to around 385m of Miskin Road. The bridge will be designed with Network Rail’s planned electrification of the Valleys railway lines in mind, ensuring there is enough clearance for those future works.
“The granting of planning permission is further good news for the project after Cabinet Members were updated on progress at their meeting on Wednesday – and were told that more than £6m has now been allocated to the project thanks to significant Council and Welsh Government funding.
“It is also encouraging that the Council will soon be in the position to invite potential contractors to submit design and build proposals for the project, which will be, in itself, another huge step forward.”
The bridge structure will be approximately 60m in length, and will primarily function as part of the highway network. The longer span over the railway and river will be 37 metres long.
Further preparatory and investigative works are due to take place on March 27, 2017, including advance vegetation clearance and reptile translocation to New Road, the Cwm Cynon North Industrial Estate Access Road and Cardiff Road, and further ground investigation will take place in the vicinity.
The works will be carried out during the day under traffic management for the safety of the travelling public, while maintaining the existing two-way single-lane carriageway and junction on New Road and Cardiff Road access. The works are anticipated to take approximately 3-4 weeks.
“The granting of planning permission is further good news for the project after Cabinet Members were updated on progress at their meeting on Wednesday – and were told that more than £6m has now been allocated to the project thanks to significant Council and Welsh Government funding.
“It is also encouraging that the Council will soon be in the position to invite potential contractors to submit design and build proposals for the project, which will be, in itself, another huge step forward.”
The bridge structure will be approximately 60m in length, and will primarily function as part of the highway network. The longer span over the railway and river will be 37 metres long.
Further preparatory and investigative works are due to take place on March 27, 2017, including advance vegetation clearance and reptile translocation to New Road, the Cwm Cynon North Industrial Estate Access Road and Cardiff Road, and further ground investigation will take place in the vicinity.
The works will be carried out during the day under traffic management for the safety of the travelling public, while maintaining the existing two-way single-lane carriageway and junction on New Road and Cardiff Road access. The works are anticipated to take approximately 3-4 weeks.
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