The Council has now delivered upon its commitment to deliver the multi-million pound Cross Valley Link Scheme, to vastly improve traffic flow in Mountain Ash and the wider Cynon Valley. The link road from Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road, over the River Cynon and the Aberdare-Cardiff railway line, was opened to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on October 16, 2020.
This footage shows traffic using the new road for the first time on October 16
Achieved through a 60-metre bridge, traffic on the A4059 (the arterial route through the Cynon Valley) is linked to the B4275 on the opposite side of the river. This benefits thousands of road users every day, especially during peak travel times.
A number of large improvement works preceded the main construction phase of the scheme, which got underway in Summer 2018. This includes carriageway improvements at Cardiff Road, major A4059 junction works to improve its capacity, a retaining wall construction at Cardiff Road, and demolition work at Miskin Cottages. More information is included below.
Contractor Walters-Sisk is continuing works to the wider site in the weeks following the road opening – including work to reopen the Cynon Trail.
The project was funded through #RCTinvest Programme, and has also received significant support from the Welsh Government through a number of grants.
This photo montage shows how the Cross Valley Link progressed over the main construction phase, which started in May 2018
Major project milestones throughout the scheme
Miskin Road/Penrhiwceiber Road - now open
Penrhiwceiber Road and Miskin Road reopened to traffic on August 30, 2020. An additional 200m of resurfacing at Penrhwiceiber Road, south of the Cross Valley Link site, was also completed
Summer holiday works 2020
Significant work (utilising a road closure at Penrhiwceiber Road) will allow Miskin Road to reopen by the end of August and deliver important improvements at Glyngwyn Street - Read more...
Concrete pour to bridge deck
The significant concrete pour to the bridge deck started during early December 2019, utilising more than 350m3 of concrete. Read more…
Installation of bridge beams
A weekend of work in late September 2019 saw six pairs of large bridge beams lifted into place over the river and railway line. Read more...
Summer holiday works 2019
Further retaining wall construction and work to the parking area at Glyngwyn Street, utilising a road closure at Penrhiwceiber Road scheduled for the school holiday to minimise disruption. Read more…
Main construction phase
A sod cutting ceremony took place in October 2018, to mark the main construction phase getting underway. This followed site clearance on both sides of the river, piling rig installation and excavations to the railway level.
A4059 junction improvements
Significant improvements to the A4059/Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate junction were completed in May 2018, and the new traffic signals were commissioned. The major works have vastly increased the junction’s capacity.
Public exhibitions for traffic restrictions
The Council hosted a public exhibition at Miskin Baptist Church to display the necessary traffic arrangements for the scheme’s main construction phase, and the permanent arrangements upon completion.
Retaining wall at Cardiff Road
A new retaining wall at Cardiff Road was constructed as part of the A4059 junction works. The images show the wall during various phases of construction throughout the first half of 2018 – in January, February and June.
Demolition of Miskin Cottages
In order to accommodate the scheme, the Council completed the compulsory purchase of two buildings at Miskin Cottages, to be demolished. The two buildings were demolished over six weeks, during October and November 2017.
Cardiff Road works
A works scheme at a section of Cardiff Road, nearest the Industrial Estate, was completed during October 2017. The works delivered a new carriageway layout as well as road re-surfacing and new street lighting.
Site boundary
This image was taken in May 2017, just before works were about to begin. It shows the majority of the work site including the A4059 junction, Cardiff Road and the Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate.
