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The A469 near Troedrhiwfuwch will be completely closed on two separate days so repairs can be carried out.
It comes after further movement to the already damaged road was detected in a recent highway inspection.
The road, which runs between New Tredegar and Pontlottyn, will need to be completely closed for two days this April for resurfacing and crack sealing.
The full closure will cause further disruption to motorists in the area, given the road is long in need of repair after being affected by a landslip in 2014. It was reduced to single-lane traffic in 2020 after it was damaged during Storm Dennis.
A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council told Caerphilly Observer: “Localised resurfacing and crack sealing will need to be undertaken and we are currently planning to undertake the works during two closures that will take place on Sunday April 16 and 23.
“It is envisaged that the road will be closed between 7am and 6pm, with a signed diversion route in place. However, the works are subject to weather conditions and as a result may be changed at short notice.”
Additional work such as filling the gap to the footway and replacing the fence posts is also needed but will not cause disruption.
The road is set to be fully repaired after the Welsh Government signalled it will support the improvement scheme in February.
Full details of the support from the Welsh Government, including funding and timelines, are yet to be released.
Caerphilly County Borough Council, however, is set to make £935,000 in funding available for improvements. This was unanimously approved in the council’s cabinet meeting on April 5.
What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?
A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.
It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.
Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:
- Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
- Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
- Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
- Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
- Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces
Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.
Last updated October 13, 2023
This funding will contribute to the initial monitoring and design stages.
Leader of Council, Cllr Sean Morgan said: “Our proposal to invest £935,000 in the scheme demonstrates the council’s commitment to resolve this long-standing issue, which is having a detrimental impact on so many people in the surrounding community.”
“We are now seeking urgent clarity from Welsh Government about the level of funding being made available to enable us to move this much-needed project forward.”
Residents are feeling “left out”
The hope is that £100,000 will be contributed by Caerphilly County Borough Council and a bid for £835,000 in funding from the Welsh Government Resilient Road Fund will be successful.
The £935,000 in council funding, which has been allocated from the council’s capital reserves, will allow work to continue if the Welsh Government bid, which was submitted in February 2023, is unsuccessful.
Speaking during the Cabinet meeting on April 5, deputy council leader Cllr Jamie Pritchard said: “That’s why we have got the reserves in my opinion. That’s why we need reserves, particularly as costs are rising.”
At the same meeting, council leader, Cllr Morgan, called the road a “rollercoaster to traverse” and said: “It’s very important we keep the community updated. It’s already gone on for some time.
“The residents are obviously feeling a bit left out on it.”
To ensure that residents are kept up to date and involved there will be a regular newsletter distributed.
Council chief executive Christina Harrhy confirmed this at the cabinet meeting and said: “Our intention is to keep local residents updated with a regular newsletter.
“As we enter the key stages of this project, those newsletters will continue to circulate in the community.”
There are plans to begin work in 2024.
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