Sewta 2013/14 Delivery Plan

Sewta RTP Delivery Plan 2013/14 – Annex 3a (RTP)RefSchemeRankSummary Evidence to support interventionProposals for Monitoring and EvaluationHIS4 Reserve A472 Maesycwmmer(Phase 3 Ystrad Mynach)Scheme DescriptionKey benefits – Outputs (quantified) and outcomesTitle Lead Authority FY2013-14Scheme Type*MODE / CATEGORY**Total SchemeCost (AllYears)Total RTCG(All Years)Total matchfunding (AllYears)Allocationfrom RTCG1314Matchfunding13-14TotalSchemecost 1314Scheme StartDateScheme EndDateA major component of the WG current strategies is the regeneration of the poorest areas of Wales. The whole area of Rhondda Cynon Taff is contained in the West Wales and theValley’s Convergence Zone. This means that the whole area is considered to be in need of substantial regeneration. However, within this area there are certain wards which havegreater levels of deprivation than others. Included in this are Penywaun, Rhigos and part of the Hirwaun wards. These are all wards which would benefit from the improved accessibilityafforded by the Aberdare Bypass extension. Based upon the latest index of multiple deprivation, Penywaun and parts of Hirwaun are amongst the 10% most deprived areas in Wales.The remainder of Hirwaun, Rhigos and most of the Aberdare West ward (which includes Llwydcoed), which would benefit from a reduction in through traffic, are in the top 50%.It is intended that this road would be constructed in conjunction with the dualling of the A465 in this area, which is currently a proposal of the National Assembly. This scheme iscurrently proposed to be completed by 2020. The dualling scheme for the A465 would involve the removal of a number of the existing junctions on the road. Of particular relevance inthis respect is that at Trewaun, where the A4059 meets the A465. This would involve vehicles travelling between the upper Cynon Valley and the A465 east, in an additional 2.75 kmround trip. The provision of the Cynon Gateway scheme (which would involve the retention and improvement of the existing Court Lodge junction east of Hirwaun) would resolve thisproblem. A further problem with the proposed removal of the A465 junction at Trewaun is that it would make the provision of a southern access to the possible major development siteto the west of Hirwaun and Penywaun (225 hectares) less attractive for the same reasons as set out above. The proposed Cynon Gateway, in conjunction with the existing AberdareBy Pass would provide an acceptable and direct southern access to the trunk road from this site.In recent years there has been considerable public opposition to the use of the B4276 through Llwydcoed by through traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from theBryn Pica landfill site located between the village and the A465 junction. It is believed that the best long term solution would be to provide a new road to take the traffic away fromLlwydcoed. There is also a need to provide relief to residents along the A4059 in Penywaun and Trewaun between the end of the Aberdare By Pass and the A465. Provision of trafficrelief to all the communities mentioned above would improve the environment and also provide tangible benefits in terms of road safety. The provision of the Cynon Gateway, inconjunction with the dualling of the A465, would provide an acceptable alternative route. In addition, both of these roads are below current design standards.On the B4276 through Llwydcoed, traffic is expected to reduce between 40% and 50%. The corresponding figure for the A4059 through Penywaun and Trewaun is almost 80%. Theexisting A4059 passes through the community of Trewaun and along the western edge of Penywaun. Approximately 70 properties have frontage access on this route, though asignificant number of these are set back from the road somewhat. In addition there are around a further 80 properties which are in fairly close proximity to the existing A4059 with aclear unobstructed view of the route. These would all be relieved by a reduction on traffic along that route. The B4276 passes through the community of Llwydcoed. The road isfronted by mainly residential properties for almost the full length of the village, which is to a large extent a ribbon development with a number of small housing areas extending backfrom the route. The provision of the A4059 Aberdare By Pass Extension would remove traffic (approximately 3400 vehicles) from passing adjacent to approximately 150 propertiesfronting on to the B4276 through the village, which would benefit in terms of reduction of noise and pollution. On the new road there will be no properties fronting directly onto the roadwith traffic being some distance away from the nearest building. In certain areas a limited number of people may be disadvantaged and measures will be taken to minimise this.However, the scheme will provide substantially more positive results than adverse consequences and will have a large beneficial effect in this respect.The recent WelTAG report produced in relation to this scheme identified 7 transport planning objectives for the upper Cynon Valley. This scheme scored positively against 5 of these:-TPO1 To improve the attraction of Hirwaun and Aberdare corridor for inward investment, TPO2 To improve access to employment opportunities for the population of the Hirwaun andAberdare corridor, TPO3 To improve accessibility to key services in Aberdare to support its function as a principal town, TPO4 To reduce the adverse impacts of the traffic on the localenvironment including safety and TPO5 To ensure compatibility with, and maximise the benefits of, future infrastructure projects. It had a neutral score on the remaining two (both ofwhich were desirable rather than the essential and important categories of the above 5). These were: TPO6 To encourage Hirwaun and Aberdare to grow in a sustainable way andTPO7 To improve the health of the population of the Hirwaun and Aberdare corridor by encouraging healthy lifestyles through active travel.In summary the aims of this scheme are to open up access to the upper Cynon Valley, to retain and attract employment by providing good communication with the trunk road networkand to bring environmental relief and improve safety in the residential areas of Llwydcoed, Penywaun and Trewaun.The WelTAG study produced for the upper Cynon Valley and produced as a pilot for the proposed new version of WelTAG reported favourably on this scheme when comparing itagainst the Transportation Planning Benefits identified in the study workshops.Also a significant amount of work was undertaken when seeking to justify the scheme for TG support for scheme development several years ago. The text of this is available onrequest.No monitoring has yet been undertaken. However, the RTP commits Sewta to monitor the outputs and outcomes of all interventions (refer to paragraphs 8.18/19 and table 8.2 of theRTP). The RTP does not refer to new highway schemes but for MBU projects identifies that the attributes that will be monitored include use/patronage, journey time/reliability and fitwith WTS objectives. Several traffic surveys were conducted in late 2012. This will form a suitable baseline position against which the monitoring will be assessed. Any data collectedbetween now and the time of scheme opening (2020) will also be used as baseline information. Further consideration will be given to monitoring requirements during this period andshould any specific further information be required (for example ecological work) this will be undertaken. Appropriate surveys will be undertaken post completion to provide a validcomparison of the effects of the scheme compared to its expected benefits/impacts.Caerphilly Pre-delivery RTP Highways >£60k >£60k >0 £50k 0 £50k April 2013 March 2014ReserveMaking Better Use highways scheme to improve the functioning of the A472 through Maesycwmmer, which is key link on the strategic highway network. The A472 throughMaesycwmmer is a single-carriageway link that acts as a constraint on the network and does not provide sufficient capacity for the level of traffic using the strategic route. This results inproblems of traffic congestion and extensive queuing at peak periods and limits the efficiency of the strategic highway network. Feasibility work is being undertaken in 2012/13 usingRTCG scheme development funding to assess scheme options and identify a preferred option for improving the route. Outcomes of the feasibility work will determine the scope of theMBU scheme.The objectives of the scheme are to:− Improve the efficiency and functioning of the A472 through Maesycwmmer.− Increase capacity and improve traffic flow along this strategic route.− Improve the quality, efficiency and reliability of the transport system.− Reduce traffic congestion and make better use of the existing road system.- 12 -