£50M Cynon Gateway Scheme Moves Forward Under Revised Welsh Transport Policy

The local council has initiated a £50 million contractor engagement phase in preparation for a full tender process scheduled to begin next month.

The planned 1.2-kilometre road will connect the A4059 Aberdare Bypass, just east of Penywaun, with the newly constructed Croesbychan roundabout on the A465 Heads of the Valleys route.

This infrastructure project aims to ease traffic congestion in Llwydcoed and Penywaun, enhance connectivity to the upper Cynon Valley, and contribute to wider regional regeneration efforts.

Originally conceived over ten years ago, the Cynon Gateway North development was put on hold four years ago following a national review of roadbuilding by the Welsh Government. The review, accompanied by a temporary freeze on new highway spending, was part of a broader effort to re-evaluate transport priorities in line with climate change goals and environmental sustainability.

The £50 million scheme was among several projects paused due to concerns about their environmental impact, potential carbon emissions, and consistency with Wales’s evolving climate-focused transport strategy. The review emphasized reducing dependency on car travel, supporting active travel modes, and prioritizing public transport.

However, recent policy adjustments have made allowances for schemes deemed "regionally important," such as the Cynon Gateway North, to move forward — but only if they align with new low-carbon objectives. Under these criteria, projects must demonstrate a commitment to sustainable construction methods, reduced emissions, and minimal ecological disruption.

As a result, the Cynon Gateway North has been given the green light to proceed under stricter environmental standards and renewed strategic justification focused on regional connectivity and regeneration.

An engagement session is scheduled for 17 October at the Valleys Innovation Centre in Abercynon, where prospective contractors will be briefed on project details, procurement plans, and the anticipated delivery timeline.

Interested contractors must register through eTenderWales by 12:00 noon on 15 October.

The council expects to release tender invitations on 3 November, with construction targeted to begin in May 2026 and continue over a three-year period.