Landslip remediation work to begin at Ynyshir Community Route

Significant work will shortly begin to rectify landslip damage to a section of the Ynyshir Community Route following Storm Dennis – including removal of slip material, drainage works and embankment reinstatement.

The shared path between Woodfield Terrace in Porth and Llanwonno Road in Ynyshir has remained closed since the landslip in February 2020, which occurred during the unprecedented storm that caused severe flooding and infrastructure damage across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Council has appointed Centregreat Ltd as the contractor to deliver the upcoming remediation work.

The scheme will begin on Tuesday, August 31, with the shared route remaining closed throughout the works, which will last around seven weeks. There will be significant activity on site, including the removal of slip material, repairing existing gabion baskets and construction of a new gabion basket wall and upgraded drainage system.

Drainage improvements include increasing the size of the ditch which conveys the watercourse, replacement of the existing pipe arrangements, construction of a headwall, removal of a piped section of the watercourse, and construction of an open ditch to remove the risk of future blockages within the system.

Additional activity will include reinstatement of the embankment, localised resurfacing to the community route, replacement of the damaged street lighting column and vegetation clearance that is required to reopen the route.

A compound area and site access point will be set up by the contractor near Woodfield Terrace. Local residents are asked to park considerately, in order to ensure lorries can pass through – these are needed for the removal of the slip material. Appropriate signage will be in place, while access to the garages near the compound area will be maintained for residents throughout the works.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “Residents will soon notice works activity at this section of the Ynyshir Community Route to rectify landslip damage. This is a complex scheme with a number of tasks to be completed – including removal of slip material, drainage work, embankment reinstatement and activities such as resurfacing, street lighting replacement and vegetation clearance in order to reopen the route.

“The scheme will be delivered using dedicated Storm Dennis projects funding, supporting our infrastructure repairs across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Council has recently announced a date to reopen White Bridge (Berw Road) following an initial phase of repairs, while summer repair works to Ynysmeurig Bridge in Abercynon have also been completed.

“Meanwhile, the Council has made good progress towards the Tylorstown Landslip Remediation Plan throughout this year. Earlier this summer, a major landmark saw all slip material from the valley floor being moved to receptor sites – enabling a number of shared paths through the area to be reopened.

“The scheme in Ynyshir will get underway following the Bank Holiday, utilising a temporary compound area and site entrance at Woodfield Terrace. I’d like to thank residents in advance for their cooperation. The Council will work with its contractor to minimise disruption with the lorry movements required to and from the works site, to remove the slip material and deliver the wider repairs.”