Roadworks have been causing chaos in a Welsh village for nearly …
Work to a pathway in Rhondda Cynon Taf[1] which people say was meant to take months but has now gone on for almost two years is causing traffic chaos. Business owners in Llanharan have spoken about the issues that the work to the footpath on Bridgend[2] Road (A473) has caused, with a temporary set of traffic lights causing congestion to back up down the A473 entering the village and also up Hillside Avenue during peak times.
Jayne Mogford from The Corner Shop said: “It can take 10 minutes longer to get to the end of the road. It’s caused a lot of problems especially with people crossing the road.” She said the work has gone on for around two years despite the fact that they were told it would take three to six months.
She claims workers have kept finding new problems with the work and that it has caused “chaos.” She also says fumes get in the shop after a while and said it gets frustrating for drivers with some trying to skip the lights which has a knock-on effect.
Jayne added that “huge lorries” travel through what is a little village and said this causes congestion as the traffic has to stay behind them. She said: “We are losing a lot of business. It is stopping people coming in to the shop.”
Initially both lanes were open on Bridgend Road while the the Llanharan Railway footbridge was closed to ensure safety after an inspection found its condition to be deteriorating. But despite a diversion for pedestrians and warning messages from the council, people continued to dangerously walk within the road – so a single lane closure with traffic signal control had to be implemented, the council said.
They added that the scheme has proven complex, with issues hampering progress beyond the council's control.
This stretch of road is causing a lot of trouble (Image: Copyright Unknown)
Lynfa Hadden, who runs Lynfa’s Boutique and One-2-Call taxis, said for calls she gets after 4pm there are “queues of traffic and it takes ages to get in”. She also said it’s difficult to use the lane and access the back of the property as a result and that they have to send the vehicles out to wash them which is costing the business.
She said it is a “nightmare” coming in and out of the village and trying to cross the road and that vehicles go through red lights. Lynfa said: “It’s gone on for so long. The community in Llanharan have just had enough.”
Lynfa claims they were initially given dates including last Christmas[4], then March, then May and then August for when it will be finished. She said: “I can’t run my business between four and six. We were promised a bypass which isn’t happening. It’s a nightmare when someone breaks down.”
A spokesperson for Rhondda[5] Cynon Taf Council said: “The Llanharan Railway footbridge was necessarily closed to ensure safety after an inspection found its condition to be deteriorating. Initially, both lanes at Bridgend Road remained open to motorists, and pedestrians were diverted via the adjacent railway bridge.
“However, despite various warning messages from the Council and the clear signage in place, pedestrians continued to dangerously walk within the road – so a single lane closure with traffic signal control had to be implemented on the grounds of safety. The damaged footbridge has since been removed, and the new bridge has been fabricated off site.
“The entire replacement scheme has proven very complex with many issues hampering progress, which are beyond the council’s control. These have included – at various points of the scheme – site constraints for services, historical underground structures, poor ground conditions, limited access for plant, ecology and securing of necessary licenses to manage protected species, coordination, track possessions and technical approval from the rail industry on what is an extremely busy mainline.
“The latest challenge has arisen through defective work by the contractor which requires a complex technical solution that must be agreed by all parties. The council would again like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation, and will keep them up to date as the scheme progresses towards completion.”
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References
- ^ Rhondda Cynon Taf (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Bridgend (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ A Stranger Things themed escape room is opening in Rhondda and the next one will be based on Last Of Us (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Christmas (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ Rhondda (www.walesonline.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.walesonline.co.uk)