The Council has provided an update on its Unadopted Roads Programme, which improves unregistered or unadopted roads left in an unacceptable condition and adopts them for future maintenance. Since the programme started in Rhondda Cynon Taf, 35 roads have been completed for the benefit of our communities.
Important work is also continuing to assess the next locations to be brought forward. As an example, a site visit with the Leader and local Councillors took place recently at Gas Works Lane in Aberaman, to see the poor condition of the unadopted highway. Next year’s programme will start in April 2026 – where suitable schemes will be put forward for inclusion.
In 2021/22, the Council piloted a programme of six initial unadopted roads schemes to privately-owned roads that had remained in an unsatisfactory condition for a long time. The pilot aimed to tackle this common issue faced by residents living on private roads. Other identified improvements, ranging from sewerage work to street lighting, were completed alongside the resurfacing.
Following the pilot’s success, the Council continues to identify new unadopted roads investments in its annual capital programme – while seeking additional funding opportunities from Welsh Government. So far this year (2025/26), five schemes have been completed and three more are due to start shortly. A full list of completed/planned schemes is included at the bottom of this update.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “In each of the past five years, we’ve identified several unadopted roads for improvement witha dedicated capital programme, while also seeking Welsh Government funding opportunities for targeted local schemes. They tackle a problem commonly reported to us – that a privately-owned road has been left unmaintained for a long time. The general feedback from residents living on the streets that have been improved by the Council has been very positive.
“This year’s programme added eight more schemes, five of which have been completed in Trecynon, Godreaman, Ynyshir, Hirwaun and Cwmbach – bringing the total number to 35 since our investment begun. This is separate to our normal road maintenance programme, which has allocated £10.9 million to maintain and improve roads and footways in 2025/26 alone.
“Officers are also continuing to work hard behind the scenes to establish next year’s Unadopted Roads Programme, which will run from April 2026. This is often informed by requests from Local Elected Members and the public. This week, I was able to join the latest site visit to determine a location’s suitability, at Gas Works Lane in Aberaman, which we are currently considering for inclusion in the next upcoming programme.”
Unadopted Roads Programme update
30 completed schemes – between 2021/22 and 2024/25
- Miners Row, Llwydcoed
- Brecon Place, Aberaman
- Heol Penrhiw, Mountain Ash
- Hillside Terrace, Llwynypia
- Trafalgar Terrace, Ystrad
- Poet’s Close, Rhydyfelin
- Belle Vue, Trecynon (externally-funded by Welsh Government)
- Greenhill Drive, Aberaman
- Church Street, Aberdare
- Glamorgan Terrace, Gilfach Goch
- Woodland Road, Trenant
- Brynderwen Court, Ferndale
- David Place, Llanharan
- St Peters Close, Llanharan
- St Aarons Drive, Llanharan
- St Julius Crescent, Llanharan
- Cwrt Forest, Mountain Ash
- Stag Street, Trecynon
- Clive Place, Trecynon
- Glyncornel Close, Llwynypia
- Cadwaladr Street, Mountain Ash
- Gelliwion Road, Pontypridd
- Highlands, Tonyrefail (externally-funded by Welsh Government)
- Red Rose Hill, Ystrad
- Horeb Terrace, Llwydcoed
- Lewis Arms Row, Penrhiwfer
- Richmond Drive, Hirwaun
- (off) Bronallt Terrace, Abercwmboi
- Orchard Close, Porth
- Pwllfa Road, Cwmaman.
Five completed schemes in the current year – 2025/26
- Church Row, Trecynon (jointly-funded, Council & Welsh Government)
- (off) Brynmair Road, Godreaman
- Graig Road, Ynyshir
- The Pandy, Hirwaun
- Sion Place, Cwmbach
Three agreed schemes to start shortly – 2025/26
- Jenkin Street, Hopkinstown
- Troedpennar Terrace, Abercynon
- Kinsgbury Place, Llwydcoed (externally-funded by Welsh Government)
Posted on 27/01/2026