Homes along the south side of the most polluted road in Wales could be demolished in an attempt to improve air quality.
The plan, first mooted last year, is on a shortlist of six options drawn up by Caerphilly County Borough Council to tackle high levels of nitrogen dioxide along the A472 Hafodyrynys Road.
If the plan goes ahead, Woodside Terrace, Woodside shops and Yr Adfa will all face demolition and the road will be ‘realigned’.
Earlier this year, Welsh Government told the council a feasibility study was needed to bring pollution levels down in the shortest possible time.
The council is due to submit its plans by the end of September.
The other options also being considered include changing the signal timings at Crumlin Junction; signalise the A472/B4471 as a priority junction and introduce an eastbound queue detector; ban heavy goods vehicles at peak hours; and establishing a clean air zone/low emission zone which means heavy polluting vehicles will have to pay to enter.
The council has written to residents in the area providing an update about the ongoing work that is being undertaken to improve the air quality on Hafodyrynys Road.
Cllr Eluned Stenner, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Public Protection, said: “I’m sure residents will welcome the news that positive progress is being made to help tackle the air pollution problems at Hafodyrynys.
“If our initial plan is approved by Welsh Government, the next phase of work will include traffic and air quality modelling to determine whether the options are effective in reducing air pollution. We will, of course, keep residents informed and updated as this work progresses.”
The council is required to submit a final plan to Welsh Government by June 2019.
The council’s cabinet will also consider the plan at a meeting on October 3.