Labour run Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced that £9m is being ploughed into highways across the county in 2012/13 thanks to a partnership with the Welsh Government.
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The multi-million-pound Highways Investment Scheme has already seen £10m invested in 2011/2012, resurfacing over 230 roads and streets in the county’s largest resurfacing project in over a decade.
The investment in 2011/2012 also saw 40,000 pot holes and patches being filled across the County Borough. This investment resulted in 90 miles of carriageway be resurfaced – the equivalent distance of travelling from Pontypridd to Tenby being done in one year.
The latest announcement by Labour run RCT will see a further £9m invested in the scheme, this will see RCT continuing to lead the way in Wales investing in Highways repairs and will further tackle the damage caused by the severe winters that have hit the County Borough over the last few years.
County Borough Councillor Russell Roberts, Leader of the Council said:
“The Council and this administration have recognised the concerns expressed by the public at the damage caused from the previous harsh winters and it is for that very reason we are investing a further £9 million in our roads this year.
“Our significant investment last year has already made a substantial difference to residents and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to investing in the infrastructure within the County Borough.
“Over 230 roads and streets will have benefited from resurfacing works by the end of the first phase of the programme. This is over and above the 40,000 pot holes and patching repairs we have carried out since the work began in April 2011.
“The highway improvements have taken place right across Rhondda Cynon Taf with every ward of the County Borough. This investment not only improves our highway network but also supports local jobs and growth.”
To celebrate the multi-million-pound investment, which is one the highest in Wales, Carl Sergeant AM and Jane Hutt AM visited Pehrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, to witness one of the many roads being resurfaced. The ministers were joined by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Leader, Cllr Russell Roberts and Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Andrew Morgan who have been heavily involved in delivering the Highways Investmnet Programme.
County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Highways said:
“The Council is aware of the impact the severe winters have had on the road infrastructure and has committed additional spending on top of the multi-million-pound investment made last year and the funds awarded by the Welsh Government through the Local Government Borrowing Initiative. This is a significant investment in the difficult financial climate currently being faced.
“Resurfcing work has been underway across the County Borough throughout the last 12 months and this huge extra investment will see that work continue with many more main roads and side streets being improved in the coming 12 months
“This Council’s commitment will see the largest highways investment programme that has been undertaken for almost a decade, this is Labour delivering for the residents of RCT.”
The Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, said: “The improvements that we’re seeing today to the road network in Mountain Ash are precisely the type of schemes that will benefit from the Local Government Borrowing Initiative.
“By giving local authorities the opportunity to borrow funding in order to accelerate road enhancement projects we will see further improvements to the condition of our roads, reduce travel times and by reducing potholes increase safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
“This innovative new initiative will also provide the Welsh economy with a considerable and much needed boost in terms of local jobs in the construction sector as well as providing supply chain opportunities for local businesses.”
Highways investment is a key priority for both the Welsh Government and Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and this partnership is currently resulting in mass works being undertaken to benefit residents
