Parc Penallta, near Ystrad Mynach, is to get a new entrance next to the A472 on the site of the former Tredomen Tip.
Caerphilly County Borough Council has said new entrance will allow direct access into the country park from the south providing improved access to the lower parts of the country park and its facilities including the National Cycleway.
The construction work involves the reclamation, re-profiling and landscaping of the former tip to provide parking and a landform for a future building.
The car park will be in a rural setting with access into the country park along a new pathway crossing the railway at Pont y Saeson.
Pat Mears, head of the council’s regeneration and planning: “These works will enable more residents and visitors to enjoy Penallta Country Park by providing greater access. It has been a long term ambition of Caerphilly County Borough Council to put this land to good use, for the benefit of residents and visitors.”
The council has gained funding with the Welsh Assembly through the European Regional Development Fund for the project under the Valleys Regional Park (VRP) banner.
The production team from The One Show launched a hot air balloon from the site last weekend to get a bird’s eye view of the sculpture. The footage will be aired on the show in the near future as part of a special feature about pit ponies.
The artwork has been carved from the spoil of a former coal tip in the heart of the South Wales Valleys.
Its a beautiful sight. However it shows Sultan cantering. Pit Ponies never cantered as to run underground was almost certain death. Perhaps the artist was inspired by their high jinks when the NCB let their ponies up and out to graze for their summer holidays? There is a glimpse of their fun on You Tube pitponyman videos as Blackie and his unknown buttie are let out for the night.
Visited Parc Penallta today. I was very disappointed that the view of Sultan from the observation point is obscured by trees. Is there any other point from which Sultan can be seen (apart from taking to the air?