Traffic routes through the A4119 dualling works site between Coed Ely and Ynysmaerdy roundabouts will be altered to enable construction progress. The first change will be from Friday night (September 8) for southbound traffic.
The A4119 Coed Ely dualling scheme will provide 1.5km of dual carriageway from Coed Ely Roundabout to the Llantrisant Business Park, and a shared community route along the length of the scheme. A new active travel bridge will also be provided for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the A4119 just south of Coed Ely roundabout, improving active travel access into the village.
The main construction phase started last summer and continues to make positive progress towards completion on time in 2024. The works are around half-way through, and contractor Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd has recently provided a progress update in its latest project bulletin for August 2023.
Switching traffic in two phases throughout September
A key part of the progress to date has been to construct the new southbound carriageway for the dualling scheme. Two multi-purpose culverts, along with several retaining walls and highway drainage features, have been installed.
Once the newly-built southbound carriageway is resurfaced, the contractor will begin preparations to alter the traffic arrangements so that motorists (currently using the existing A4119) will instead travel on this new section of road. The changes will take place in two phases during September, as outlined below:
Please remember, the temporary 40mph and 30mph speed limits at various points throughout the works area will remain in place, to promote safety.
The upcoming changes will enable the next phase of the construction phase – removing the old (A4119) carriageway and building sections of the new road, including associated drainage, lighting, culvert and access works.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The A4119 Coed Ely dualling continues to make very positive progress, around the half-way point of the construction phase. The overall scheme is on course for completion as planned in summer 2024, to deliver this priority investment to significantly improve connectivity in the strategic Rhondda Gateway region.
“The scheme will improve traffic flow in this busy commuter area, and unlock the old colliery site, Parc Coed-elái – being developed by Welsh Government and the location of the Council’s new modern business unit. Another major advantage is the introduction of a walking and cycling route between Coed Ely and Ynysmaerdy, and improved active travel access at Coed Ely roundabout.
“Excellent progress to date has seen construction of the new section of road which will become the southern, dualled carriageway in the final scheme. Our contractor’s next main focus will be to replace the existing A4119, to become the northern carriageway of the final scheme. This will involve two phases in September, where traffic will be switched to use the new carriageway.
“The new temporary routes will be clearly signposted, and motorists should continue to drive carefully through the works site – particularly while getting used to the new arrangements. I’d like to thank road users and the community for your continued cooperation. Our contractor continues to communicate with residents living nearby, while arranging all disruptive elements of the scheme as night-time working, and limiting noise disturbance where at all possible.”
The major A4119 dualling scheme is jointly funded through a mixture of the Council’s own capital funding, Welsh Government allocations, and an £11.4m package secured from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021.
