Proposed work to improve a busy roundabout in Caerphilly has taken a step closer to getting underway.
Plans were initially formed by Caerphilly County Borough Council in 2015 to ease traffic and congestion at the Pwllypant roundabout, where the A468, A469 and Pontygwindy Road meet.
Last year a Freedom of Information request by Plaid Cymru revealed that the £5.7m scheme to improve the roundabout was on hold – even though £659,000 had already been spent on preparation works, including felling a host of trees.
In May 2016, the scheme was also postponed in order to avoid clashing with major works on the Fiddler’s Elbow viaduct near Abercynon by Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil county borough councils.
Meanwhile, Caerphilly council was awaiting a formal funding decision by the Welsh Government, which has now been given the green light.
The Welsh Government has approved a £1.5 million transport grant for the scheme, with work beginning this summer.
Plaid Cymru Cllr Colin Mann, who represents Llanbradach ward, said: “I’m very pleased at the decision by the Welsh Government. I hope a contractor can be appointed in time to start construction works during this summer as was promised.
“Pwllypant is a major pinch-point for drivers travelling south towards Cardiff, north up the Rhymney Valley or towards Newport.”
Cllr Rob Gough added: “This scheme is vital to ease the congestion at busy times which can cause significant delays for motorists and the sooner the work starts the sooner congestion can be improved.
“It is a vital link for people living in the Rhymney Valley and beyond.”
Christina Harrhy, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Director of Communities, said: “We very much welcome the news that funding has been secured from Welsh Government for much-needed improvements at Pwllypant roundabout.
“The works will help reduce congestion at this key strategic location and the grant also includes elements of funding for a range of road safety measures and safer routes in the community.
“We will now prepare a detailed work schedule for the Pwllypant site, but we anticipate that the scheme will commence in the summer.”
Cllr Tom Williams, CCBC’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Transportation, added: “This is fantastic news and means this long awaited scheme can finally progress. We have been pushing hard to secure funding to deliver these much-needed improvements at Pwllypant Roundabout, as this is such a key strategic location.
“I’m sure motorists and local residents will welcome this very positive announcement, as the scheme will help improve traffic flow and reduce congestion at this very busy roundabout. We expect the scheme to start in the Summer, as soon as council officers can get plans in place.”
Cllr Dave Poole, Labour group and Council Deputy Leader, said: “This is yet another example of how effective our Labour-led administration has been over recent years in attracting significant funding to bring major improvements across our community. We now look forward to delivering this vital scheme and will keep residents informed about dates and timescales.”
A further £500,000 has also been attained to implement a range of road safety measures across the community, including bus stop improvements, speed reduction signs, and safety schemes.
A Labour group spokesperson added: “This is yet further evidence that our Labour-led Caerphilly Council can work constructively with the Labour-led Welsh Government to achieve real benefits for Caerphilly’s residents – in this case, making road journeys easier and safer for people.
“At the council elections in May, we believe voters will back Labour to achieve the best deal for our communities”
It’s a shame the proposed changes don’t really do much to improve facilities for cyclists, despite the council being given feedback on their proposals. Also rather suspicious that this gets announced exactly 1 month before the local elections, Labour trying to deflect from the £2.??? million they have wasted on paying the not quite a CEO.
Maybe, if we cross our fingers and make a little wish, they’ll install that section of the integrated transport map at the same time thus avoiding the need to do it later?
What I would welcome are drivers that are actually able to negotiate Pwllypant roundabout ( or any roundabout ) without causing a great deal of frustration to everybody around them, they fail to indicate, they’re in the wrong lane, they stop unnecessarily. Installing traffic lights will only cause more congestion and more accidents, roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing and when drivers use them correctly they do a very good job of this.
Labour led Caerphilly Council working with the Labour led Welsh government, yet has been delayed for 2 years because of other projects elsewhere!