The final section of the new Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route has opened between Ferndale and Tylorstown, completing the main walking and cycling route that spans 10km up as far as Maerdy. While some work is continuing to create local links off the overall route, we’ve reached a key milestone towards delivering this multi-million pound investment across several communities.
Creating this shared route has long been a Council commitment, and it has made excellent progress since the first site works began in 2023. The project is delivered with funding from Welsh Government, while Transport for Wales has played an important role in administrating and advising the scheme.
The project has been split into five main phases for the purposes of design and construction. Phases one, two, four and five represent the primary route from Maerdy to Tylorstown, while phase three will create a link at Maerdy. A progress report on all five phases is included at the bottom of this news item.
Phase five has now been opened to the public, after construction work started in June 2025. Following the route of the old railway line, it extends from Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre in Ferndale to Stanleytown overbridge – connecting to the Porth Relief Road community route.
An important element of the phase five work has included building three new footbridges to support the overall route. Pont Pendyrus has replaced the old leisure centre footbridge, while the Tylorstown North and South structures have replaced old railway bridges that were beyond repair. The new bridges are wider and conform to modern active travel standards.
Another key aspect of phase five is establishing new links off the main path to Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre and Tylorstown Surgery. Work is ongoing to deliver these – the Council will inform residents when each is opened.
In addition, phase three of the overall route is yet to be constructed. This will create a new 1.5km path leading to Richard Street and Ferndale Swimming Pool, at Maerdy. This phase has previously received planning consent in 2024 and remains an aspiration, with funding being sought for its future delivery.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Capital Infrastructure, said: “This major investment across several Rhondda Fach communities has established a 10km dedicated walking and cycling route from Maerdy through to Tylorstown. We’ve now reached the important milestone of the entire main route being completed, with the last section from Ferndale to Tylorstown opening in the last few days. Phase five works have also included installing three new bridges that comply to modern active travel standards, while new links to Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre and Tylorstown Surgery will follow.
“We’ve welcomed important support from Welsh Government and Transport for Wales over a number of years to design and deliver the scheme, with the first construction works starting in 2023. Various phases of the project have secured Active Travel Fund investment, enabling the progress made to date. We’ve so far had excellent feedback from completed sections of the route, and I’m looking forward to visiting the newly-opened phase five to celebrate the completion milestone.
“Active travel is a priority area of investment for the Council, and we’ll soon be updating the Active Travel Network Map for Rhondda Cynon Taf – asking residents for their input in a summer consultation that has recently got underway, before using the public’s feedback to make amendments. Encouraging people to walk and cycle every day has so many advantages – improving health and well-being, reducing traffic congestion, lowering journey times, and protecting the environment.
“In March 2026, the Council secured the latest active travel funding from Welsh Government via the Cardiff Capital Region Regional Transport Fund. Funded schemes for 2026/27 include improving access to Pontypridd Bus Station and creating better connections in the town centre, designing the active travel elements of the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor, and delivering the latest Safe Routes in Communities Scheme in Penywaun.”
Details about the first four phases of the route are summarised below:
- Phase one was completed in late 2023. It created the northernmost section of the overall active travel route, from a location north of the Maerdy industrial estate to a point near the Gateway Memorial.
- Phase two was completed during 2024, resuming the route south of phase one. Starting from the Gateway Memorial, it stretches through Maerdy for 1.5km, following the alignment of the former railway line.
- Phase three will improve the existing cycle path in Maerdy and create a new 1.5km path leading to Richard Street and Ferndale Swimming Pool. This phase received planning consent in June 2024 and continues to be in development, with funding continuing to be sought for its delivery.
- Phase four was completed in 2025, upgrading the old railway line across Ferndale – from a point north of Ffaldau Terrace (near Maerdy) to a point near Dolycoed Funeral Home (Tylorstown). It included a new link to Avon Street (Ferndale) and construction of two new footbridges at Blaenllechau.
- Phase five is ongoing, reaching a milestone in May 2026 where the main route (Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre to Stanleytown overbridge) opened. Three footbridges were installed, while work continues to deliver new links to Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre and Tylorstown Surgery.
Find out more about our investment in Highways and Engineering through our #TransformingRCT campaign webpages.
Posted on 01/06/2026