The Council will begin work on a major scheme at Graigddu Tip in Dinas, to deliver multi-million improvements that will stabilise ground conditions at the former coal tip. Significant Welsh Government funding support has previously been received for the important work, which will be delivered over the year ahead under a local road closure and using temporary bus arrangements.
In February 2026, the Council awarded a design and construct contract to Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, upon receiving a £4.8 million funding commitment from the Coal Tip Safety Multi-year Grant Scheme, running up to 2029/30. The contractor has been supported by consultants Stantec to carry out additional investigatory work, prepare the scheme’s design, and gain the required permissions to bring the final scheme forward for delivery.
The Council has now appointed Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd as the main project contractor and work will start on site from Monday, July 27.
The scheme is designed to provide protection to Graigddu Road and Vicarage Road, by installing an anchored piled wall along the toe of the tip. A series of drainage improvements will also be carried out, with localised stabilisation on the tip above. The work will take approximately 13 months to complete.
The scheme will require a necessary, local road closure at Graigddu Road and Vicarage Road, as shown on this map. The alternative route, via Vicarage Road and Dinas Road, is also shown on the above map. Please note that access cannot be maintained for emergency services, pedestrians, nor to premises. However, a temporary access road will be created by the contractor to maintain access for the residents of the four properties at Graigddu Farm.
The road closure is required due to the presence of large machines such as piling rigs, cranes, excavators and lorries, which need to be operated safely.
Please note that the 173 Stagecoach and Thomas of Rhondda bus services (Porth-Clydach Vale) will be diverted via B4278 Dinas Road during the works.
Contractor Alun Griffiths Ltd has also provided a dedicated liaison officer, Neil Evans, to answer queries from the community. This officer can be contacted via phone (01873 857211) or email (enquiries@alungriffiths.co.uk).
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Capital Infrastructure, said: “This upcoming scheme at Graigddu Tip shows our commitment, alongside Welsh Government, to invest in maintaining and improving safety at coal tip sites across Rhondda Cynon Taf. We welcomed £4.8 million funding specifically for this scheme earlier in the year, along with £13.7 million from the Coal Tip Safety Grant to continue our wider inspections, maintenance, and works programme this year. We have a dedicated Coal Tips Safety Team of officers carrying out this work all year round.
“Residents will likely be aware of the ongoing work at Tylorstown Tip on the Llanwonno mountainside, following a large landslip in Storm Dennis – and that major scheme is continuing. The upcoming work in Dinas over the year ahead is another of our larger-scale projects – this time carrying out work to stabilise the tip’s ground conditions and improve the site’s drainage, providing key protections from potential slope failures. The scheme has been carefully designed alongside specialist consultants, and is now ready to be delivered.
“The work will start from July 27, and I’d like to thank the local community in advance for their patience and cooperation as our contractor delivers this important scheme. It will require a local road closure at Graigddu Road and Vicarage Road, along with the diversion of a local bus route. Officers will work with the contractor to ensure the temporary arrangements work effectively, to provide full information to local residents, and to answer any queries they have. The Council will keep residents updated as the scheme progresses.”
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Posted on 23/07/2026