rhondda fach active travel route

Plans revealed for fourth phase of Rhondda Fach walking and cycling route

It's the latest phase of a 7km active travel route which eventually will cover Maerdy to Stanleytown

• 04:15, 1 MAY 2024

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Plans have been revealed for the fourth phase of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route for walkers and cyclists. The Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route which is a new walking and cycling route between Maerdy and Stanleytown in the Rhondda Fach valley.

The route will follow the alignment of the former railway line along the valley floor and will include links to local communities, shops, schools and leisure facilities. This is phase four of the route and is planned to be built along the former railway line between Maerdy and Tylorstown, with a link to Avon Street, Ferndale.

It would start at the southern end of phase two and end at the footbridge leading to the Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre. The anticipated construction start date is late summer 2024 and it is expected to take approximately eight months to complete.

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The planning, design and access statement submitted with the application by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council (RCT) said that phase four will be approximately 3.1km long and will meet the five key requirements of an active travel route, which are being coherent, direct, safe, comfortable and attractive, as set out in the Active Travel Act (ATA) guidance. The existing site mostly consists of unmade footpaths, cycle routes and maintenance tracks, which are used for recreation as well as providing access to the rear of properties on Taff Street, Ferndale and to the National Grid sub-station.

The proposed site is within the ownership of RCT Council and Railway Paths Limited. The Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route as a whole is 7km long and has been split into five phases with phase one being completed in January 2024 and phase two during spring 2024.

Phases three and four, depending on funding availability, will be completed during spring 2025 and phase five during spring 2026, again depending on funding availability. The statement said that the route will offer a far safer and more direct route for cyclists than the existing on road alternative through Tylorstown, Ferndale and Maerdy. To get all the latest Rhondda news straight to your inbox sign up for our newsletter here.

It said the high vehicle volumes, narrow carriageways, on-street parking and steep gradients makes cycling through these communities uncomfortable and unsuitable for most users. It also said that “the route’s setting, away from motorised vehicles, adjacent to the river Rhondda Fach and amongst the natural flora, will create visual and sensory interest for users.”

The planning, design and access statement said that this proposal will acknowledge the sensitivity of its natural surroundings by adhering to the biodiversity mitigation and enhancement measures recommended in the Ecological Impact Assessment for the site and that construction working hours will be constrained and the phasing and programming of site works will be planned to reduce impact on residents and local businesses.

• Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
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Plans for the next phase of active travel route set to go before councillors for approval

Anthony Lewis – Local Democracy Reporter

Plans have been revealed for the next phase of a shared route for walkers and cyclists through the Rhondda Fach. The second phase of the Rhondda Fach active travel route will take it as far as Ferndale.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee is due to discuss phase two of the route at a meeting on Thursday, November 9. The total scheme covers a distance of around 7km and will eventually connect the site of the former Maerdy Colliery with Pontygwaith to the south-east, most of which will follow the line of the former mineral railway.

The route will include links to communities, as well as schools and leisure facilities, the planning report said.

Phase one has already been completed and phase two will run from the southern side of Station Road, Maerdy, as far as a point approximately 340m to the north of the A4233 at Ffaldau Terrace.

The report said that the phase two section is currently an unsurfaced footpath which is used by walkers and cyclists which will be upgraded to a 3m wide route with a metalled surface and any surface water drained to the nearby river.

Whilst the majority of the route has a flat surface, the report said that small areas of cut and fill will be needed to keep a constant running width and also for the repair of eroded areas.

The application site is made up of an unmade or gravelled footpath between Station Road, Maerdy (opposite its junction with Institute Street) and an area to the north of Highfield Industrial Estate, Ferndale.

The path is a section of former railway line which connected Maerdy Colliery to its junction, at Porth, with the line from the Rhondda Fawr valley.

The surface area of the path to which the application relates is 0.89 hectares and has a length, as the crow flies, of approximately 1.5km.

All of the footpath is outside of the settlement boundary and passes close to or crosses over, the Rhondda Fach River.

This section of the route includes two railway bridges and the path is also within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales.

Planning officers have recommended approval saying: “The proposed development would result in a substantial upgrading of the track for existing and new users. In addition to the improved surface and introduction of positive drainage measures, which will make the route safer and easier to use, it will also make all-year use more practicable and contribute to community health and wellbeing.”

They also said it would not have a detrimental landscape impact and would not physically affect the amenity of the nearest neighbouring properties.

There have been no public objections made to the application.

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Hope that they manage to keep the over bridges on the route. There is nothing worse for disabled outdoor types than to find that a bridge over something has been taken away and one is forced down a steep ramp to the bottom and then faced by another steep ramp up the other side. Such steep slopes are impossible for handcyclers as the front wheel of such machines does not grip so goodbye being an ‘independent’ disabled rider. You just have to have a ‘pusher to get up the slope.

Sound nice but what is desperately needed is appropriate infrastructure for short distance journeys in urban areas. Let’s not forget how much walking and cycling picked up during the pandemic, when people realised that, surprise!, it actually is quite nice to be outside when there are fewer cars to dodge.

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Posted: Sat 4th Nov 2023

Plans Unveiled for Phase Two of Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route

Plans have been revealed for the next phase of a shared route for walkers and cyclists through the Rhondda Fach. The second phase of the Rhondda Fach active travel route will take it as far as Ferndale. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee is due to discuss phase two of the route at a meeting on Thursday, November 9. The total scheme covers a distance of around 7km and will eventually connect the site of the former Maerdy Colliery with Pontygwaith to the south-east, most of which will follow the line of the former mineral railway. The route will include links to communities, as well as schools and leisure facilities, the planning report said. Phase one has already been completed and phase two will run from the southern side of Station Road, Maerdy, as far as a point approximately 340m to the north of the A4233 at Ffaldau Terrace. The report said that the phase two section is currently an unsurfaced footpath which is used by walkers and cyclists which will be upgraded to a 3m wide route with a metalled surface and any surface water drained to the nearby river. Whilst the majority of the route has a flat surface, the report said that small areas of cut and fill will be needed to keep a constant running width and also for the repair of eroded areas. The application site is made up of an unmade or gravelled footpath between Station Road, Maerdy (opposite its junction with Institute Street) and an area to the north of Highfield Industrial Estate, Ferndale. The path is a section of former railway line which connected Maerdy Colliery to its junction, at Porth, with the line from the Rhondda Fawr valley. The surface area of the path to which the application relates is 0.89 hectares and has a length, as the crow flies, of approximately 1.5km. All of the footpath is outside of the settlement boundary and passes close to or crosses over, the Rhondda Fach River. This section of the route includes two railway bridges and the path is also within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales. Planning officers have recommended approval saying: “The proposed development would result in a substantial upgrading of the track for existing and new users. In addition to the improved surface and introduction of positive drainage measures, which will make the route safer and easier to use, it will also make all-year use more practicable and contribute to community health and wellbeing.” They also said it would not have a detrimental landscape impact and would not physically affect the amenity of the nearest neighbouring properties. There have been no public objections made to the application. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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Work starts on Rhondda Fach Active Travel route this week

The path will be closed to ensure safety for the duration of the works, Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted via the adjacent industrial estate on a temporary basis

By Saffron Jenkins · 10 July 2023

WORK STARTS: The first of five phases of work commences on Monday (Image: Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council)

Upgrading works on the existing path in Maerdy into a wider, more suitable shared route for pedestrians and cyclists will start on Monday, July 10. This is the first of five phases of work to improve the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route.

The Council was successful in securing more than £3.43m from the Active Travel Fund in 2023/24. This allocation includes £1.94m funding for phases one and two of the active travel route at Maerdy and Ferndale – along with separate funding in a Core Allocation covering phases 3, 4 and 5, between Ferndale and Tylorstown.

Phase one works will begin at the existing path between Mardy Colliery Gateway Memorial and a point north of the industrial estate near the old colliery site. The Council has appointed Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd to undertake the works, to be completed during late autumn.

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The work includes upgrading the existing path to a 3-metre wide, surfaced cycle and pedestrian route conforming to active travel standards. The path will be closed to ensure safety for the duration of the works. Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted via the adjacent industrial estate on a temporary basis.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and cabinet member for infrastructure and investment, said: “I’m pleased that the first phase of work to upgrade the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route will soon get underway, starting at the northernmost section in Maerdy. This closely follows Welsh Government’s funding announcement in June, as the Council has secured funding for five phases of work through Rhondda Fach.

“Phase one will upgrade the existing path which runs adjacent to the industrial estate, between the old Mardy colliery site and the community memorial. Future phases of work along the Rhondda Fach route will upgrade informal areas of path into dedicated, shared active travel locations for cyclists and pedestrians – and will also create new community links at targeted locations.

“Promoting walking and cycling as part of people’s everyday journeys remains a Council priority to improve health and wellbeing and combat climate change. We continue to welcome Welsh Government’s support, with £3.43m funding for local schemes secured this year. It will help deliver Taff Trail improvements at Trallwn, establish a formal active travel route through Cwmbach, replace the Riverside Bridge in Llwydcoed, improve various links in Church Village, and progress key schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres.

“The Council’s contractor for Phase one in Maerdy will begin on July 10, and requires the necessary closure of the existing path. Thanks to residents for your cooperation as these upgrades are delivered. Phase two is then scheduled to follow on later this year, primarily focusing on the route through Ferndale.”

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Next phase of walking/cycling route through Rhondda Fach approved

PLANS for the next phase of a shared route for walkers and cyclists through the Rhondda Fach have been approved. The second phase of the Rhondda Fach active travel route will take it as far as Ferndale.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s planning committee approved the proposal at a meeting on Thursday, November 9. The total scheme covers a distance of around 7km and will eventually connect the site of the former Maerdy Colliery with Pontygwaith to the south-east, most of which will follow the line of the former mineral railway.

The route will include links to communities, as well as schools and leisure facilities, the planning report said.

Phase one has already been completed and phase two will run from the southern side of Station Road, Maerdy, as far as a point approximately 340m to the north of the A4233 at Ffaldau Terrace.

The report said that the phase two section is currently an unsurfaced footpath which is used by walkers and cyclists which will be upgraded to a 3m wide route with a metalled surface and any surface water drained to the nearby river.

Whilst the majority of the route has a flat surface, the report said that small areas of cut and fill will be needed to keep a constant running width and also for the repair of eroded areas.

The application site is made up of an unmade or gravelled footpath between Station Road, Maerdy (opposite its junction with Institute Street) and an area to the north of Highfield Industrial Estate, Ferndale.

The path is a section of former railway line which connected Maerdy Colliery to its junction at Porth, with the line from the Rhondda Fawr valley.

The surface area of the path to which the application relates is 0.89 hectares and has a length, as the crow flies, of approximately 1.5km. All of the footpath is outside of the settlement boundary and passes close to or crosses over, the Rhondda Fach River.

This section of the route includes two railway bridges and the path is also within a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and a Registered Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest in Wales.

Councillor Jayne Smith, a member of the committee who represents Ferndale and Maerdy on the council, said she’s “absolutely delighted” this has come to planning saying “it’s a huge improvement for the area” and that it will improve links to the current Ferndale school but also to the new Llyn y Forwyn school that’s being built so they can encourage residents to get more active.

Planning officers recommended approval saying: “The proposed development would result in a substantial upgrading of the track for existing and new users. In addition to the improved surface and introduction of positive drainage measures, which will make the route safer and easier to use, it will also make all-year use more practicable and contribute to community health and wellbeing.”

They also said it would not have a detrimental landscape impact and would not physically affect the amenity of the nearest neighbouring properties. There were no public objections made to the application.

Local Democracy Reporter

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Progressing the new walking and cycling route through Rhondda Fach

Team @ aberdareonline.

• 19 December 2023
• Rhondda Cynon Taf Council , Taxpayer's funding

The second phase of work to establish the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route is underway – with phase one, a new shared path between the old colliery site and the gateway memorial in Maerdy, due for completion before Christmas.

The overall project will create a 7km shared pedestrian and cycle route between Maerdy and Tylorsotwn, with its delivery split into five main phases of work. The Council has currently secured Welsh Government funding to construct the first two phases, and to progress the design and development of the remaining three phases which will be constructed in the future.

This investment was announced in June 2023 as part of Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund (2023/24). The Rhondda Fach scheme will create a 3-metre wide, surfaced cycle route that conforms to active travel standards – while establishing new community links at specific points along the route.

Phase One nearing completion and Phase Two underway

Work on Phase One started in July 2023 and will be completed by Friday, December 22.It has created the route’s northernmost section by upgrading an existing path – from a location north of the industrial estate near the former colliery site, to a point near the Mardy Colliery Gateway Memorial. Advanced structural work to two bridges was also completed during early November.

Phase Two will focus on the next section of the route – from the Gateway Memorial, heading south for approximately 1.5km. The work will create a new shared footpath which largely travels along the alignment of the former railway line, located on the opposite side of the Rhondda Fach River to the Phase One works. Phase Two got underway recently, in early December 2023.

Horan Construction Ltd is appointed to deliver Phase Two, which is due for completion in early Spring 2024. Minimal disruption is expected due to the works location on the disused railway line. A site compound (welfare unit and site offices) will be located at Park Place, on land opposite the tennis courts.

Andrew Morgan

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “Creating new walking and cycling opportunities in our local communities continues to be a Council priority – through delivering local schemes such as the ongoing works in Maerdy. Active travel brings numerous benefits for communities, as walking and cycling can improve residents’ health and well-being, and help protect the environment as an everyday alternative to driving local journeys.

We welcomed the significant Taxpayer’s funding of £3.43m allocation from this year’s Active Travel Fund in June, with this Welsh Government funding covering construction of the first two phases of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, and design and development of the final three phases. It also included developing several other key schemes – including realigning the Taff Trail at Trallwn, establishing a formal Active Travel route at Cwmbach, improving various links in Church Village, and progressing schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres.

“Good progress has been made over the past few months to progress Phase One of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, by formalising an existing footpath north of the Gateway Memorial in Maerdy. It has created an improved path that makes the route accessible for all pedestrians and cyclists. These works are entering their final stages, and will be completed before Christmas.

“Phase Two has also now started, and will continue the route in a southern direction from a point near the memorial. This section will follow the alignment of the disused railway line, and will be around 1.5k long. Minimal disruption is expected for these works, and the Council will work closely with its contractor to ensure this next section of the route is established in the months ahead.”

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First phase of work on Rhondda Fach Active Travel route to begin

Written by gavin on 7th july 2023.

The first of five phases of work to improve the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route will start next week – to upgrade the existing path in Maerdy into a wider, more suitable shared route for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Welsh Government has recently announced that the Council was successful in securing more than £3.43m from the Active Travel Fund in 2023/24. This allocation includes £1.94m funding for phases 1 and 2 of the active travel route at Maerdy and Ferndale – along with separate funding in a Core Allocation covering phases 3, 4 and 5, between Ferndale and Tylorstown.

Phase 1 works will begin on  Monday, July 10,  to upgrade the existing path between Mardy Colliery Gateway Memorial and a point north of the industrial estate near the old colliery site. The Council has appointed Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd to undertake the works, to be completed during late autumn.

The work includes upgrading the existing path to a 3-metre wide, surfaced cycle and pedestrian route conforming to active travel standards. The path will be closed to ensure safety for the duration of the works. Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted via the adjacent industrial estate on a temporary basis.

Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment,  said:

“I’m pleased that the first phase of work to upgrade the Rhondda Fach Active Travel route will soon get underway, starting at the northernmost section in Maerdy. This closely follows Welsh Government’s funding announcement in June, as the Council has secured funding for five phases of work through Rhondda Fach. “Phase 1 will upgrade the existing path which runs adjacent to the industrial estate, between the old Mardy colliery site and the community memorial. Future phases of work along the Rhondda Fach route will upgrade informal areas of path into dedicated, shared active travel locations for cyclists and pedestrians – and will also create new community links at targeted locations. “Promoting walking and cycling as part of people’s everyday journeys remains a Council priority to improve health and wellbeing and combat climate change. We continue to welcome Welsh Government’s support, with £3.43m funding for local schemes secured this year. It will help deliver Taff Trail improvements at Trallwn, establish a formal active travel route through Cwmbach, replace the Riverside Bridge in Llwydcoed, improve various links in Church Village, and progress key schemes in Aberdare and Pontypridd Town Centres. “The Council’s contractor for Phase 1 in Maerdy will begin on July 10, and requires the necessary closure of the existing path. Thanks to residents for your cooperation as these upgrades are delivered. Phase 2 is then scheduled to follow on later this year, primarily focusing on the route through Ferndale.”

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Active travel fund and safe routes in communities: grants awarded 2022 to 2023

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Tylorstown landslip – remediation process

It also shares details about the future vision for the site, to be developed as part of a wider Community Active Travel Route – providing a dedicated pedestrian and cycle route between Maerdy and Pontygwaith.

Current activity includes earthworks, transporting the remaining tip material to a receptor site, building infrastructure at receptor areas, and work within an extended drainage programme:  Read more here

On February 16, 2020, the landslip occurred on the Llanwonno hillside at Tylorstown, as Rhondda Cynon Taf was hit by three storms in quick succession. The landslip was triggered by Storm Dennis – a one in 200-year storm event that saw Maerdy at the top of the Rhondda Fach record the highest volume of rainfall in Wales. The site is a Category D tip and was being inspected every three months against a set of monitoring criteria prior to the storm, and inspections have subsequently increased in frequency since.

The Council is working towards a four-phase remediation plan, as outlined below:

• Phase One  – Emergency drainage and vegetation clearance ( completed in the weeks following the landslip ).
• Phase Two  – Embankment scour repairs ( commenced in late June 2020, and was completed in June 2021 ).
• Phase Three  – Moving of material to receptor sites and temporary reinstatement of paths ( commenced in late June 2020, and was completed in June 2021 ). An additional phase of work to stabilise the slope above the one remaining closed footpath was completed in autumn 2021.
• Phase Four  – Remediation of the remaining tip on the hillside. Planning permission was granted in October 2022 and works started on site in April 2023. It will enable future enhancements to the community route. The original drainage programme has been extended and a revised completion date for Phase Four is winter 2024.
• Cycle routes and receptor sites – Improvement works to several structures along the proposed Community Route in the future. The route will be resurfaced and works to the receptor sites completed.

Tylorstown Landslip, Phases Two and Three

On June 10, 2020, the Council made an announcement outlining its intention to commence the second and third phases of work – starting by the end of June and ending later this year in accordance with Natural Resources Wales’ restrictions about working in the river from the end of October onwards. The announcement also confirmed that the Council is working closely with the Welsh and UK Governments over the funding options to cover the costs of Phases Two and Three, which are estimated to be around £2.5m.  Here is Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Morgan, speaking before the start of Phases Two and Three in June 2020: 

The Council made an Urgent Delegated decision on June 11, 2020, to progress the work, and to appoint a contractor. The decision noted that while these works will be initiated ‘at risk’ to the Local Authority in the absence of funding confirmation, there is a firm expectation that government support will be provided to the Council to carry out this essential scheme.

Works to deliver Phases Two and Three got underway on Monday, June 29, 2020 - after the Council appointed Walters as the contractor responsible for carrying out the scheme. Walters, which also undertook Phase One, is an experienced local contractor which has been involved in tips schemes such as this one in the past.

Phases Two and Three were completed on June 25, 2021. This followed a number of landmarks being achieved on site – such as removal of the slipped material from the valley floor, the reinstatement of the river to its correct line and level and a series of drainage works.

Completion of this work has allowed the two walking and cycling routes on the Leisure Centre side of the river to reopen – connecting to the local network of paths running through the area. The path to the rear of the leisure centre which has been part of the contractor’s site compound – and the riverside path which was completely covered by the slip – have both been reinstated and can now safely reopen.

The third route running through the area, on the opposite side of the river, has been repaired but will remain closed as there are future phases of work to stabilise the hillside above.

While the closure area for this path is around 1.5km, the wider route it forms a part of is open and can be accessed from Station Road in Ferndale. When walkers and cyclists reach the downriver closure point, they will be able to change to one of the recently-reopened paths via an existing footbridge, which cyclists must dismount to cross. The Council intends to reopen all routes in the future.

Ecological impact

In terms of the ecological impact, a number of surveys have been carried out by consultant ecologists in liaison with the Council’s ecologist and Natural Resources Wales (in relation to the clearance of undergrowth and trees from the receptor sites – together with the impact on flora and fauna).

All parties continue to work together to ensure the impact on the environment is minimised where possible. Consideration is being given to the final receptor sites and how this will benefit the ecology of the river valley.

Receptor sites

The three receptor sites are owned by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, and are located to the north of the landslip site, alongside the former railway line. Receptor Site B (nearest the landslip site) formed part of the old railway sidings, and receptor Site A1 and A2 was a former colliery site footprint.

Planning permission for the receptor sites (temporary) for the slip material was subsequently applied for retrospectively, and it was granted by the Planning and Development Committee on Thursday, January 21, 2021. The agenda for that meeting can be found  here .

As of spring 2024, all work has been completed at Receptor Site A2. Council officers are progressing towards the implementation of the works at Receptor Site B.

Placing the spoil material on these sites has significantly reduced the amount of material which would have otherwise be moved along the public highway. The receptor sites have also ensured that the wider works are self-contained – and therefore the carbon footprint of the works is greatly reduced. For instance, there have been virtually no vehicles on the public highway from the site, which would otherwise cause noise, vibrations, air pollution, dust and damage to the carriageway. It is estimated that the process of moving 60,000 tonnes of material would have required 6,000 lorry movements – which was avoided by utilising the receptor sites.

Consultation on future vision

The Council will keep the local community informed about the proposed end use of the scheme, to be delivered in the future. There will also be a significant opportunity for residents to have their say in the final end use through a future consultation process. At present, the Council is considering the location to be converted into a riverside walkway and bike use area, similar to the existing sites at Barry Sidings Country Park and Mountain Ash Riverside Park.

Rhondda Fach Active Travel Community Route

The Council’s future vision for the wider area includes more than £10m investment to remediate the remaining tip on the hillside. Upon completion of the remediation works, the commitment for the wider, five-phase Rhondda Fach Active Travel Community Route for pedestrians and cyclists between Maerdy and Pontygwaith – travelling through the site at Tylorstown – can then be delivered, subject to Welsh Government funding.

As of spring 2024, Phase One of the route has been delivered on site – from a location north of the industrial estate near the former colliery site in Maerdy, to a point near the Gateway Memorial. Phase Two work is progressing towards completion on site, to deliver the next 1.5km of the route – in a southerly direction from the Maerdy Gateway Memorial, following the alignment of the old railway line.

Phase Three will connect Phase Two, at a location near Station Street, to Blake Street and the rear of Richard Street in Maerdy. Phase Four will connect Phase Two, from the Ferndale/Maerdy border, to a point near Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre in Ferndale. Phase Three and Phase Four are currently awaiting planning approval. Phase Four has received external funding, and could start on site in summer 2024.

Tylorstown Landslip, Phase Four

The Council undertook a Pre Application Consultation with the community in January and February 2022, so residents could have their say on Phase Four – with the feedback received helping Officers to finalise the planning application. Officers organised a public exhibition at Rhondda Fach Sports Centre (May 19, 2022) for residents to attend for a further progress update.

Full planning permission was granted for Phase Four, by the Planning and Development Committee, in October 2022.

The planning application that was granted for Phase Four (ref. 2022/0600/08) covers a number of works, including relocating colliery material to a site adjacent to the tip, and reprofiling/stabilising the upper tip site. It also includes new drainage work, the formation of access tracks and paths, vegetation regeneration and ancillary works. Find more information on the Council’s planning portal here . Hard copies of documents can also be viewed at Porth, Ferndale and Pontypridd Libraries.

The appointed contractor Prichard’s Contracting, which is based in Llantrisant, started the main works for Phase Four during April 2023.

This drone footage from June 2024 shows the progress being made in Phase Four

The Council also made two further planning submissions in December 2022, relating to proposed works at receptor sites within Phases Two/Three of the remediation plan. These include a proposed planting scheme of trees for Receptor Site A2 (ref. 22/1477/08) and p roposed bench seating, small footbridges over drainage channels tying into the local path network, interpretation panels and a ‘stepping stone feature’ for Receptor Site B (ref. 22/1476/08). The links included above give more information on the Council’s planning portal.

The major drainage programme within Phase Four has been substantially extended as a necessary measure, due to the discovery of water ingress and changes with the underlying topography. Further details are included in the Council’s update during spring 2024 . Phase Four is now due for completion in winter 2024.

Repairing structures for future cycle routes

This future activity will tie into the overall completed works undertaken in Phases Two, Three and Four – and carry out significant schemes to repair or replace (and ultimately future-proof) a number of bridge structures along the new Rhondda Fach Active Travel Community Route.

The document below highlights the initial plans for the Community Route. The Community Route is highlighted in pink, with proposed links to the route in blue and the structures being considered for improvement also labelled.

Proposed Community Route  - PDF (2.27mb)

Further information about the individual schemes to future-proof bridges along this route will be communicated by the Council in due course.

Welsh Government's wider work relating to Coal Tips

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has welcomed the work the Welsh Government has undertaken since the landslide at Tylorstown. This work has included asking the Law Commission to evaluate current legislation for managing coal tips safety in Wales – with a public consultation running from June to September in 2021. Details here.

Following on from this, Welsh Government launched a separate consultation on its Coal Tip Safety White Paper from May 12, 2022. Details here.

Monitoring equipment installed on the National Tip in Wattstown

From November 2023, Welsh Government has included a function on its website where residents can search the location and boundaries of all disused Category C and D coal tips in Wales. Find out more and access this resource on the following link.