The Council will shortly begin work to deliver improved pedestrian facilities at several locations across the village of Hirwaun, having secured grant support from Welsh Government’s Safe Routes in Communities funding.
Safe Routes schemes contain measures to improve accessibility and safety in communities, with particular focus around schools. The Welsh Government investment aims to encourage people to walk and cycle for local journeys, by providing a safer environment to do so.
In June, the Council announced it has secured £352,350 funding to deliver a scheme for Hirwaun in 2023/24. From Monday, January 8, work will begin to introduce new footways, safe crossing points and speed reduction measures. The work will last around 11 weeks, focusing on various elements, including:
- Installing an uncontrolled crossing (dropped kerbs and tactile paving) along sections of Swansea Road, Maescynon Road and Merthyr Road.
- Providing a footway link along Swansea Road, near Maescynon Road.
- Building a new access ramp that can be used by pedestrians on Merthyr Road, which links to Tramway – and delivering pedestrian access improvements at Merthyr Road’s junction with Tramway.
In addition, speed reduction measures will include ‘Araf/Slow’ carriageway markings and supplementary warning signs at various locations, along with the introduction of an average speed camera check system along sections of Swansea Road. Speed indicator devices have already been installed.
The Council’s Streetcare Team will carry out the majority of the work with a nominated sub-contractor, while Centregreat Ltd will install the average speed cameras. Traffic management will be used locally where it is needed to ensure safety, and will vary from one location to another.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “Work will get underway from January 8 to install pedestrian safety and speed reduction improvements at several locations in Hirwaun, within the latest Safe Routes scheme for the County Borough. Walking and cycling our local journeys has many advantages for health, well-being and the environment – which is why we’re investing in measures to create safer environments in our communities.
“Many similar schemes have already been delivered across Rhondda Cynon Taf, with the pedestrian improvements for Llantwit Fardre the most-recently completed during April 2023. This has followed local schemes in Llwynypia, Abercynon, Llantrisant, CIlfynydd and Ton Pentre in recent years.
“Welsh Government’s latest funding announcement was made earlier this year – and we welcomed the allocation of more than £740,000 towards the delivery of new schemes in Hirwaun and Church Village in 2023/24. The allocation also covered a feasibility study to determine if more school streets across the County Borough could benefit from future investment.
“The total investment for Hirwaun is £391,500, which includes Council match funding. Residents will notice works activity get underway at various locations in the weeks ahead, with local traffic management needed for some elements of the scheme. The Council’s Streetcare Team will work towards making quick and efficient progress, while minimising disruption as much as possible.”
Please note, this work represents the first element of the proposed investment in Hirwaun. Footway improvements to the Brecon Road/Harris Street junction, and new pedestrian crossings for Rhigos Road and High Street, are planned for delivery in 2024/25. An informal consultation for the new crossings ended on December 29, 2023, having obtained residents’ views to shape the plans.
Posted on 04/01/2024