The Council will be hosting an important engagement exercise over the weeks ahead, when residents will be able to find out more and have their say on revised proposals for a new transport corridor and active travel route to the south and west of Llanharan.
The proposed development would complete a new 4km transport corridor, with a walking and cycling route alongside – aiming to address long-standing issues with congestion, road safety, goods vehicle traffic and air quality, along the A473 through Llanharan.
The upcoming Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) will enable officers to gain key feedback from residents, landowners and stakeholders. They will then review and refine the proposals before submitting a planning application. The four-week public consultation will run from Monday, September 29, to Monday, October 27, providing opportunities to take part online, and in person at two local public exhibition events.
What are the revised proposals for the project?
The project has been revised following publication of the Roads Review report in February 2023, to ensure it aligns closely with the Welsh Government’s Transport Policy. The Council has worked alongside appointed design consultant WSP, to bring forward a new proposal that further enables and encourages sustainable and socially-inclusive transport. It also places greater focus on walking, cycling, public transport, ecology, and connectivity. A summary of the proposals is included here:
- Completing a new 4km transport corridor to the south and west of Llanharan and Bryncae. Its easternmost point will be from the A473 east of Llanharan (near the existing petrol station), and its westernmost point will be at A473 New Road (near Bridgend County Borough’s boundary).
- The Council’s proposed project will be split into two main sections. The 1.8km eastern section will run from the A473 east of Llanharan to Enterprise Way. The 0.6km western section will improve the current route at A473 New Road, between the Dragon Studios Roundabout and the County Borough boundary with Bridgend – and this will include removing the sharp bend, known locally as Cow Corner.
- These will be located either side of a 1.6km middle section of the transport corridor, which is not being built by the Council. This comprises of a 0.8km section that has already been built, and a second 0.8km section that will be built by a housing developer – in the same timeframe of the Council’s project.
- The project will create new junctions with Enterprise Way, Llanharry Road, Old Llanharry Road and the A473. Bus prioritisation measures will be included at junctions through which bus services are planned to run.
- An important part of the development will be the construction of a shared pedestrian and cycle active travel path, to run alongside the entire length of the 4km scheme – including several signal-controlled crossings.
Acoustic fencing and planting along the road will reduce noise pollution and visual impact. Other advantages of the revised project include minimising construction and maintenance carbon content, avoiding losing Ancient Woodland, planting and habitat creation and management, providing a net biodiversity benefit, and incorporating sustainable drainage solutions to improve water quality and reduce the risk of flooding.
How can residents take part in the consultation?
An online homepage will be launched when the consultation starts, providing detailed plans for the proposals and supporting documentation. The homepage will be available using this link from September 29.
Residents can email feedback on the proposals, to be formally recorded in the consultation, to consultation@rctcbc.gov.uk. They can also call the Contact Centre (01443 425001) or send via post – to Freepost RUGK-EZZL-ELBH, Consultation Team, Third Floor Office, 2 Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd, CF37 4TH.
Paper versions of the plans and documents will be able to be viewed in person at Llantrisant Library (located at Llantrisant Leisure Centre, Southgate Park, Llantrisant, CF72 8DJ). The opening hours are 9am-1pm on Mondays and Saturdays, and 9am-6pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – while the venue is closed on Wednesdays.
Two public exhibitions will also be held during the consultation, where the public can attend, view plans, and speak to the consultation team. Residents are invited to drop-in at any time during the day-long events, taking place at:
- Bryncae Community Centre (Powell Drive, Bryncae, Llanharan, CF72 9UU) – Tuesday, October 7, 11am to 7pm.
- Llanharan Welfare Hall (Llanharan Recreation Ground Trust, off Bridgend Road, CF72 9RA) – Thursday, October 9, 11am to 7pm.
The public consultation is supported by an artist’s impression video of the proposed transport corridor and active travel route – shown publicly for the first time in this process. The Council will use its social media channels to promote the consultation, and remind residents about the in-person events.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The Council is committed to developing this major transportation scheme, to provide a solution to the long-running issues relating to traffic congestion, air pollution, and road safety through Llanharan. We have a good track record of delivering large highway infrastructure projects – with the recent opening of the A4119 Coed Ely dualling scheme earlier in 2025, and the Mountain Ash Cross Valley Link in 2020. Our focus has now turned to the Llanharan project, alongside the Cynon Gateway North Transit Corridor in the north of the Cynon Valley.
“Officers have revisited previous proposals for the Llanharan project following Welsh Government’s Roads Review, and the four-week consultation from September 29 will showcase these for the first time – including an exciting artist’s impression video fly-through that illustrates the new plans. We’re working closely with a design consultant towards submitting a formal planning application, and the upcoming consultation will help shape that.
“The design changes that are now brought forward include much-improved connectivity, pedestrian and cycle opportunities, and public transport routes – through a series of signal-controlled junctions rather than roundabouts, and newly-proposed bus priority measures. The revisions have also reduced the project’s carbon footprint, and include better sustainability measures that are supported by Welsh Government – which has allowed the project to proceed.
“This week, substantial funding of £3 million has been allocated to the project following approval by Cabinet on Monday, September 22, and subsequently Full Council on Wednesday. This further demonstrates our commitment to delivering this project, with the funding earmarked to support the ongoing design and planning stages, which are key landmarks towards final delivery.
“I’d urge all interested residents to find out more and have their say during the four-week consultation, which ends on October 27. The are many ways to take part – online, via post, and in person at two local public exhibition events that have been arranged for the communities of Bryncae and Llanharan. It’s important that we gain people’s views at this key stage as part of the project’s development – and all feedback will be carefully considered by the project team as we look to submit a formal planning application in the months ahead.”
Posted on 25/09/2025