The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for RCT - Rhondda Cynon Taf

4. Use, Demand and Reasons for AccessPopulationRhondda Cynon Taf is the second mostpopulated Authority in Wales. Beinglocated in the M4 corridor and closeto Cardiff, there are pressures fordevelopment and opportunities foroutdoor recreation. The population ofthe twelve Area RegenerationPartnerships that cover RhonddaCynon Taf is given in Appendix One.The population is concentrated intowns and villages, with opencountryside between them. All partsof the County Borough are close toeither open access and / or the publicrights of way network. The Assessmentidentified a handful of small denselypopulated wards with few immediateaccess opportunities, but even theseareas had close connections toadjacent access. See Maps 2, 3 & 4.The most well used recreational sitesare within or close to built up areas.For example, the Taff Trail, Garwnant,Barry Sidings Countryside Park and theLlwydcoed to Cwmbach formerrailway Corridor, Dare Valley CountryPark and Glyncornel woods arepopular. More remote sites or pathsthat cross the open countryside are notas popular or well known.Socio-Economic ProfileThe socio-economic profile of thepopulation will affect the demand anduse of access opportunities. InRhondda Cynon Taf, only 64% ofresidents are economically active,below average for Wales. Carownership is also lower with 32% ofhouseholds having no car, 45% onecar whilst 24% have two or more cars(the Welsh figures are 26% no car,46% one car and 28% two or more).There is considerable variation inwealth across the County Borough,with the northern part of the Countygenerally less affluent than the south.Social inclusion is an important policypriority for the Council. See Map 5.People with no access to a car mayrely more heavily on walking andcycling for daily transport and may beexcluded from countryside activitiesthat are poorly served by publictransport. Low levels of economicactivity are frequently associated withlow household income. This mayexclude some people from taking partin countryside activity that involves acost (transport, equipment etc.).On the other hand, many retiredpeople enjoy outdoor activities such aswalking as a low cost daytime activity.Working people will tend to usecountryside recreation facilities in theevenings, at weekends and holidays.They may use walking and cyclingroutes as part of their journey to work.10Out & About: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Rhondda Cynon Taf