Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Policy NSA 22 -Rail Network And Station ImprovementsLand will be safeguarded for rail network improvements along theroute of;1. The former rail freight line between Aberdare and the formerTower Colliery, Hirwaun; andFor the provision of station improvements at:2. The former Railway Site, Hirwaun;3. The former Freight Head, Hirwaun.6.88. With the closure of Tower Colliery in 2008 the freight line betweenAberdare and Hirwaun is effectively redundant. The redevelopment of theformer Tower Colliery site towards the end of the plan period for majorresidential, commercial and employment purposes presents anopportunity for the freight line to be reused and passenger rails services tobe extended to Hirwaun.6.89. The implementation of these services would provide an important newrail link between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff and assist in reducingcongestion and promoting accessibility. The development will need to takeinto account the likely impacts on the Blaen Cynon Special Area ofConservation.Policy NSA 23 - Cycle Network ImprovementsThe existing network of cycle paths and community routes will beextended, improved and enhanced to include schemes at:1. The Rhondda Community Route Network;2. The Cynon Valley Cycle Route;3. The Heads of the Valley Cycleway & links toHirwaun Industrial Estate;4. Pontygwaith to Maerdy;5. Cwmaman to Aberaman;6. Lady Windsor to Llanwonno.6.90. Cycling has potential to act as a substitute for shorter car journeys in urbanor rural areas, or form part of a longer journey when combined with publictransport. Within the County Borough there are two of the network’sNational routes. Lon Las Cymru runs north – south through Wales and linksHolyhead with Cardiff utilising the Taff Trail within Rhondda Cynon Taf.The Celtic Trail – Lon Geltaidd, the National Route that links Chepstow andFishguard, also uses the Taff Trail from Nantgarw and Abercynon to meetPontypridd. From here the route heads west to Tonyrefail and the CountyBorough boundary.6.91. The schemes allocated in Policy NSA 23 provide an opportunity to furtherdevelop and extend the cycle network throughout the Northern StrategyArea. It should be noted however, that definitive route alignments havenot yet been prepared for all the proposals. In addition to the schemeslisted, it is anticipated that further route proposals will be developed andimplemented during the lifetime of the Plan.88Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future