The final section of a long-awaited new active travel route in south Wales has reached the halfway point after two years and four months under construction. Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council has provided a construction update on phase five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, to establish the route’s final section from Ferndale to Tylorstown, says Nation Cymru.

The works are around halfway complete, and have included building three replacement footbridges and two pedestrian and cycle links.

The 10km walking and cycling route from Maerdy through to Tylorstown is  being created in partnership with Welsh Government in five phases of work.

Phases one, two, four and five will represent the primary route, with phase three providing a key local link off it.

Council contractor Horan Construction Ltd started phase five in June 2025 which is the 2.8km final section between Ferndale and Tylorstown.

At the half-way point of these works, three footbridges have been built and installed which will remain closed until completion of phase five and will form part of the walking and cycling route when it opens.

(Picture: Rhondda Cynon Taf Council)