Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet has agreed additional funding of £1.5m to support the maintenance of the road network – including 48 new resurfacing schemes, over and above the funding already earmarked in the Highways Capital Programme.

At the Cabinet meeting this week Members considered a report which detailed the proposed new schemes, as part of further ‘one-off’ funding being brought forward for Council priority areas. This wider funding, totalling £6.5m, had originally been agreed by Cabinet in September.

The report in October provided a breakdown of the £1.5m funding for road maintenance – including £1.304m for 44 road resurfacing schemes, £100,000 for drainage work and emergency repairs, and £96,000 for four footway renewals, reports Wales 24/7.

This allocation will further invest in local roads, contributing to the Council’s ‘accelerated’ funding over ten years. The report notes that 4.6% of A-roads in Rhondda Cynon Taf required maintenance in 2020/21, down from 16.2% in 2010/11. This is reflected across the road network, including 6% of B-roads (down from 15.2% ten years ago) and 4.7% of all roads (down from 15.7%).

Cabinet approved the 48 additional schemes for inclusion in the Council’s ongoing three-year Capital Programme. On a case-by-case basis, these will either be completed in the current financial year (2021/22) or in due course to optimise delivery.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “This additional £6.5m funding represents the latest ‘one-off’ investment that the Council has brought forward for key priorities, above its annual Capital Programme. Having been agreed by Full Council last week, it will add to the £123m of additional investment which has been made since 2015.

“The £1.5m funding for Highways and Roads within this new allocation is on top of the £5.3m earmarked for road maintenance, and £1.3m for footway renewals, already allocated within the 2021/22 Highways Capital Programme. Excellent progress has been made towards delivering this programme of schemes, particularly in the good weather over the summer.

“Our accelerated funding in the road network over the last 10 years continues to pay off. Monday’s report notes that the percentage of local roads requiring maintenance has vastly reduced – as Rhondda Cynon Taf compares favourably to other Local Authorities in this area. Following approval by Cabinet Members, the 48 new resurfacing schemes will now be added to our three-year Capital Programme for delivery, for the benefit of our communities.”