Plans for a new Llanharan bypass have been revealed after a previous project was rejected last year as part of the ’s roads review.
The original project, which had strong local support, was one of 31 new road schemes culled by Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Water, whose responsibilities include transport, last year.
This followed an assessment by the independent Roads Review Panel. Mr Waters rejected the projects on environmental and climate change grounds, as well as citing evidence that new roads over time also become congested through induced demand.
Following the setback Rhonnda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has been working on a new road plan, which was presented to Mr Waters earlier this week. While a number of issues will still need to be worked through, the minister has responded positively.
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In a written statement Mr Waters said: “In Llanharan, where the Roads Review panel concluded that the proposed bypass should not proceed, we are in detailed discussions on an alternative project, to be developed by Cynon Taf in partnership with Transport for Wales.
“This could see the construction of a new road, but different in character to the one that was examined by the Roads Review Panel. The re-developed proposal prioritises new bus services and active travel routes, a lower speed limit and a focus on reducing embodied carbon and protecting areas of ancient woodland that would otherwise have been destroyed.
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“Schemes like this demonstrate how investment in roads will continue where it aligns with our transport and planning policy; recognising that we cannot continue on the path we were on but must follow a new path which addresses the threat facing us from the climate and nature emergencies we have declared.”
The new 1.3 kilometre road has an indicative cost of around £20m. It is mainly the same route as the previous one, apart from it avoiding a small section of ancient woodland.
If approved it would be financed by developer contributors from housebuilders Llanmoor Homes and Persimmon, who between them are building around 1,800 new homes at a former opencast mine site close to Llanharan at Llanilid, and Rhondda Cyon Taf Council.
The new road would have a speed limit of 30mph, compared to the original scheme’s 50mph, with a significant reduction too in in built carbon. To help reduce car usage in the area a new cycle network and increased bus services are also planned.
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Andrew Morgan, said the council has worked hard on a new project to address Welsh Government concerns that scuppered the previous one.
He added: “We have done a lot of work on it and presented it to Transport for Wales about two weeks ago, with a challenge session, and they liked around 90% of it. We then went away and reviewed things further and presented to the minister (Mr Waters) on Monday. I would say we are now around 95% there, but certainly with a few areas where we need to be challenged further. We have reduced the in built carbon so far by around 5,200 tonnes on what was the original scheme, but with further work we think we can reduce the built in carbon by another 1,000 tons.
“A road is a road at the end of the day and you either build it or you don’t, but we have tried to embed all the principles that the Welsh Government has been pressing us on around things like built in carbon, nature, emissions and good public transport provision.”
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On the project being approved he said: “We are hoping that we could get an in principle agreement on this in the next month. In fairness to the Welsh Government they are clear that we have to do these last bits of work ,so the ball is now in our court.
“If we do that, then we would put in a planning application that would take the rest of this year. If it all goes well we could then potentially put it out next year to tender (construction) and be on site within two years.”
On costs he said: “I think in the region of up to £20m. However, with what the Welsh Government has asked us, that could potentially be reduced. For example instead of having a 7.3 metre wide carriageway built to a 50mph standard, because it is going to 30mph it will be 6.8 metres wide. Over 1.3 kilometres that obviously saves a lot of money.
“We don’t expect to need Welsh Government funding to actually build the road, but we have been speaking to them about the possibility of applying to them around the active travel part. "
Alongside the road the aim is for four buses an hour through Llanharan linking up with Llanharry, Beddau and Talbot Green. Mr Morgan said there are also plans for an extended cycle network from Talbot Green, through Llanharan, and reaching Pencoed.