Proposals to improve road safety on main Cynon Valley route being considered

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council officers have undertaken a review of road traffic conditions along the A4059 between Abercynon Roundabout and Cwmbach, following an increase in high severity road traffic collisions in recent years. 

In response, Council officers are currently in the process of developing proposals to promote and improve road safety at key sections of this main road through the Cynon Valley.

The A4059 between Abercynon and Cwmbach has two ‘National Speed Limit’ sections (south and north of Mountain Ash). Being a single carriageway road, it carries a 60mph speed limit for cars and motorcycles, and a 50mph limit for heavier vehicles. According to the latest available road collision and casualty data relating to the past five years, there have been several severe and sadly fatal collisions along this route – a high proportion of which saw speed as a contributing factor.

The Council recently commissioned automatic traffic counters, which recorded the speed of motorists within the ‘National Speed Limit’ sections of the A4059 over a seven-day period. Motorists’ average speed was 48mph, which is below the posted speed limit. However, there were 15 instances of motorists travelling at 100mph or over, with one vehicle recorded travelling at a speed of 127mph.

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said:

“Council officers are currently reviewing the A4059, the arterial route through the Cynon Valley between Abercynon and Cwmbach, to look closely at how road safety can be improved. The most recent data shows a marked increase in high severity personal injury collisions over recent years, with an increase in serious and fatal collisions in which the speed of travel was a key contributing factor.

“A recent exercise to record motorists’ speed through the ‘National Speed Limit’ sections showed that the majority of drivers were travelling below the speed limit. However, there were cases where motorists not only exceeded the limit but reached very dangerous speeds at over double the national speed limit – which is incredibly dangerous and clearly unacceptable.

“Any potential actions taken as a result of the review would aim to tackle this, rather than the vast majority of people who are driving at a responsible speed. Proposals are currently being developed by officers, and the Council will report on the outcome of this process in due course.”