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Significant scheme to upgrade culverts on A4061 Rhigos Road

Significant culvert upgrades will be delivered on A4061 Rhigos Road

Significant upgrades to existing culverts at A4061 Rhigos Road, near the Tower Colliery site, will be delivered thanks to Welsh Government Resilient Roads funding – secured to tackle the issue of flooding at this location. 

The upcoming work will replace culverts at two positions close together on the A4061, on the section of road between Hirwaun Industrial Estate and A465 roundabouts. The new culverts will be larger structures with multiple pipes beneath the carriageway, complete with new inlet and outlet structures. This will significantly increase each culvert’s capacity during periods of heavy rain.

Advanced works have been carried out ahead of the main scheme, including ground investigations and the diversion of BT Openreach apparatus last year.

The main scheme will begin with site setup from Monday, January 24, and then increased site activity from the week commencing January 31. This will include temporary two-way traffic lights, required to safely carry out the works. A temporary speed limit of 30mph will be put in place during the works.

The scheme will last around 10 weeks, but the work within the watercourse is dependent on fair weather and could be extended if there is consistent rain.

The upcoming scheme will be delivered through a combination of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Welsh Government Resilient Roads grant funding.

The Resilient Roads funding is available to Local Authorities to deliver targeted drainage improvements on areas of the road network with a history of flooding. The Council received £4.9m to improve 16 locations during 2020/21, and then secured an additional £2.75m in March 2021 to further progress works at 19 identified locations.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “We welcome Welsh Government’s support to carry out these significant culvert upgrades at A4061 Rhigos Road, between the A465 and Industrial Estate roundabouts – an area with a history of flooding in storm events. The existing culverts aren’t suitable to convey the flows of water at this location, and their capacity will now be significantly increased at two areas of the road.

“The Council previously secured more than £7.5m from Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads funding, for targeted drainage schemes in 2020/21 and 2021/22. Important work delivered to date includes at the Porth Relief Road in Ynyshir, the A4059 from Penywaun to Trecynon and the A4059 Aberdare Bypass near Asda Roundabout. The Council also upgraded three drainage gullies on the A4059 between Mountain Ash and Abercynon last summer.

“The upcoming work at Rhigos Road starts on January 24 with the main works following on a week later. Two-way traffic lights and a reduced speed limit are required for this scheme to be carried out safely. Thanks to residents, local businesses and road users for their cooperation as this important scheme is delivered – to tackle the long-standing problem of flooding at this location.”

Posted on 21/01/2022