News - South & West
DE A GORLLEWIN CYMRU/SOUTH AND WEST WALES area covering Pembrokshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, South Wales Valleys, Cardiff and the Vale, Monmouthshire and the Brecon Beacons.
Route 4 at Pembrey
Please be aware that due to essential Forestry Commission maintenance work between January and March 2012, large sections of Pembrey Country Park will be closed. As a result, National Cycle Network Route 4 will be diverted through the Park. This route will be made available for a variety of users including horses, husky training and contractor vehicles thus care should be taken when using this section of route. The diversion will be fully signposted throughout. Download diversion map (pdf).
Route 8 - Taff Trail
Upgrade works will be taking place on the Taff Trail in the Rhydfelen area (Dynea Rd - Glyntaf), starting 1 January 2012 and due to be completed in mid-March. Local diversions will be in place while the works are being undertaken.
Chepstow - Wye Valley Railway Path
Following the refusal of planning permission by Forest of Dean Council, we had hoped to re-submit an abbreviated planning application for the bridge over the Wye at Tintern on its own to match the joint application which was already with Monmouthshire on the Welsh side of the border. Sadly Forest of Dean and Monmouthshire require that there is a joint application for the entire Chepstow to Tintern and Brockweir route, and we have no option but to withdraw the application with Monmouthshire.
The planning process to date has revealed a high level of support for this route, and we regret having to disappoint supporters. The positive news is that Network Rail will release additional land which means we can carry the route on the old railway across the A48 at Tidenham and make a much better direct link to Sedbury, Chepstow.
We will now undertake another round of consultation with the local communities and planning authorities and will be initiating this as soon as possible.
Pengarnddu Bridge at Dowlais Top, Merthyr Tydfil
The Pengarnddu Bridge at Dowlais Top, Merthyr Tydfil is now open, forming part of the Heads of the Valleys Cycle Route (National Route 46). The official opening, involving local Pantysgallog primary school, took place on 5th December 2011. The route between Glynneath and Abergavenny is due to be completed in March 2012.
Parc Cwm Darran to Fochriw walking and cycling link
Construction is due to commence in January 2012 with the route expected to open in May 2012.
Merthyr Connect2
A competition was opened out to the local community to name the new Merthyr Connect2 Bridge, due to open in early 2012. The bridge is to be named 'The Puddlers Bridge', at the suggestion of winner Mr Alan Lewis of Pentrebach. Walkers and cyclists using the Trevithick Trail will notice that the new path to the bridge is currently being constructed.
Route 467 - Argoed
Construction for the new bridge at Argoed commenced in September 2011 and is due to be completed in February 2012. The bridge will provide a missing link on the National Route 467 between Blackwood and Hollybush. The scheme is being funded by Valleys Regional Parks.
Treforest Community Route
Construction is due to commence for a ramp at Treforest that will link a new shared use route to the Church Village Community Route at Tonteg. The route is due to be opened in 2012.
Heads of the Valleys Route in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Construction is due to commence in January 2012 for an on and off road cycle route between Pontwalby (Neath) and Gellideg (Merthyr).
Llantrisant Community Route in Rhondda Cynon Taf
We are waiting to receive planning permission for this route which will provide a link between Parc Cwm Darran (Caerphilly) and the Heads of the Valleys route in Merthyr Tydfil.