Forms part of the Rhymney Valley Linear Route and developing local cycle network.  This section will link from the proposed Heads of the Valleys – National Cycle Network Route 46 at Rhymney Bridge to the completed Rhymney Comprehensive Safe Routes to School Initiative / Abertysswg.  The route will benefit the local communities improving access and links to employment areas, public transport including Rhymney rail station and tourism locations. 

This route forms part of the developing National Cycle Network Route 46 along the Heads of the Valleys corridor from Rhymney Bridge / Bute Town via Llechryd to Bryn Bach Park.  The cycleway will provide a strategic link between neighbouring local authorities – Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. 

A local cycle link from Bargoed/ Country Park to Bowen Industrial Estate / Aberbargoed.  The route will provide sustainable transport links to employment areas and from the local communities to the Rhymney Valley Linear Cycle Route and the National Cycle Network. 

This route forms part of the Sirhowy Valley Cycleway linking Hollybush to other developing local routes to the north in Blaenau Gwent and to the existing cycleway to Argoed.  Will also provide opportunities for tourism and improved access to the countryside for the local communities together with links to the National Cycle Network Route 47 in the south at Blackwood/ Gelligroes. 

A local cycle link from Fochriw to Parc Cwm Darren linking to an existing route from Bargoed and provision of a further link to Bargoed town centre / Railway Station area / Rhymney Valley Linear Route / Bargoed Country Park.  The route will benefit the local communities providing improved access and tourism opportunities and further access to the local cycle network/ National Cycle Network. 

A local cycleway link from Fochriw to National Cycle Network Route 46 / Heads of the Valleys, this will extend the existing Darren Valley Route to the north providing tourism opportunities and improved community access to the countryside. 

A local link from Argoed and the Sirhowy Valley to employment areas at Oakdale Business Park and Pen-y-fan Pond and part of the Upland Route to the CCBC northern boundary with Blaenau Gwent, providing improved community access and links to the cycleway network

Extension of the existing park and ride facility at Rhymney to provide a total of approximately 50 car parking spaces.  The proposed scheme would double the size of the existing site and would improve opportunities for modal interchange and increase access to the rail network.  Development of the site will provide opportunities for modal shift, particularly for residents in Rhymney, Princetown, Tredegar and Dowlais Top, helped by the significant improvement in the A465.  Whilst parking at the current site does not exceed the capacity of the car park on most days, extending the site will alleviate pressure for car park spaces on busier days.  Furthermore, it will provide further capacity for the short to medium term, when the aspiration to achieve more frequent trains between Bargoed and Rhymney is delivered.

Provision of a new park and ride facility at Bargoed to provide approximately 80 spaces and safe walking routes to the adjacent bus and rail stations.  The station does not currently have a park and ride facilityand would benefit from improved opportunities for modal interchange and increased access to the rail network.  The scheme will capitalise upon the benefits of the recent and proposed capacity and frequency enhancements on the Rhymney Line.  The development of the site will provide opportunities for modal shift, particularly for residents living in the more remote areas of the Darren Valley and Aberbargoed / Markham communities.  The frequent train service between Bargoed and Cardiff (4 trains per hour) will also prove attractive for residents north of Bargoed, living close to the railway line between Bargoed and Rhymney, but currently only benefiting from the one train each hour that extends above Bargoed. 

One of the main transport problems facing the Heads of the Valleys area is the poor standard of vehicular access.  The completion of Angel Way will remove the problems associated with Bargoed town centre and the improvements to the A4049 have increased accessibility to New Tredegar.  However significant problems still exist on both the A469 north from Bargoed and the A4049 north of New Tredegar.  In order to facilitate regeneration, and to fully enable the role and function of all settlements within the Heads of the Valleys area to be realised, improvements to this corridor will need to be undertaken as part of the overall regeneration package.

Forms part of the Rhymney Valley Linear Route linking from Pengam to the National Cycle Network Route 47 at Maesycwmmer and further south.  The route will provide improved community access and opportunities for linking to the wider cycleway network. 

Network of Routes linking Blackwood town centre / Pontllanfraith to the National Cycle Network Route 47 at Gelligroes, Oakdale / Argoed and Pen-y-fan Pond and part of the Upland Route to Blaenau Gwent.  The routes will provide improved community access, links to employment areas, the countryside and further links to the local cycle network and the National Cycle Network Route 47 at Gelligroes. 

Local cycle link from Pontllanfraith to Newbridge/ Crumlin (enhancing the existing Safe Routes to School scheme at Newbridge) and also part of the link to Crosskeys.  The routes will improve community access, further developing the local cycle network, providing greater opportunities for links to public transport and the National Cycle Network Route 47. 

Local links from Crumlin to Blaenau Gwent/ Hafodyrynys to Torfaen and part of the Upland Route to Abercarn.  The routes will improve community access and links to the countryside, with opportunities to link to the wider developing cycleway network and to neighbouring local authorities. 

Local cycle link from Penallta to Ystrad Mynach, connecting to the National Cycle Network Route 47.  The route will improve community access, links to public transport and other amenities. 

This policy safeguards land for the potential future reopening of the freight route between Ystrad Mynach and Bedlinog to passenger services, which would enable a new station to be provided at Nelson and would facilitate through services to Cardiff.

Land is safeguarded for the provision of a new station at Nelson, which would be linked to the reopening of the line between Ystrad Mynach and Bedlinog to passenger services.  There is a former station site at Nelson, which is undeveloped, adjacent to a residential area and has space for car parking, a set down area and bus interchange.  There is potential for adverse impact upon areas of nature conservation interest dependant upon the exact location for the development.  Any adverse impacts will need to be mitigated through careful design and enhancements derived through the development.

Land is safeguarded for the provision of a new station at Crumlin on the Ebbw Valley line.  The provision of the new station would be linked to the potential second phase of the Ebbw Valley scheme, which would expand the service to provide an hourly passenger service to Newport.  The establishment of this station would benefit the main employment site at Oakdale, providing the closes train link to the site.  There is potential for adverse impact upon areas of nature conservation interest dependant upon the exact location for the development.  Any adverse impacts will need to be mitigated through careful design and enhancements derived through the development.

Extension of the existing park and ride facility at Pengam to provide an additional 100 car parking spaces.  The proposed scheme would significantly increase the capacity of the existing site (the current site has 60 spaces).  The site at Pengam is of strategic importance, offering good road access to residential areas of Penpedairheol and Gelligaer in the west and Aberbargoed, Pengam, Cefn Fforest and Blackwood in the east.  The scheme will capitalise upon the benefits of the recent and proposed capacity and frequency enhancements on the Rhymney Line.  The scheme will aim to encourage modal shift by offering a high quality alternative for those travelling by car along the main transport corridors, supported by the frequent rail service of 4 trains each hour between Pengam and Cardiff.  Currently, park and ride demand at Pengam exceeds available capacity and car users overspill into residential streets adjacent to the site, causing frustration and problems for local residents.  The additional capacity will also ease the pressure on park and ride car parks at Hengoed and Ystrad Mynach, both sites being near or at capacity respectively on most working days.

The principal route in the Ebbw Valley, the A467, has been subject of significant previous highway improvements.  However the level of development that is expected in the Northern Connections Corridor during the LDP period will increase problems of congestion along this route and localised junction and on-line improvements will be needed to maintain efficiency of the network.

Highway improvements to Crumlin Junction will require a Flood Consequences Assessment to be submitted as part of any future planning application.

This section of the A472 will see significant levels of economic development in conjunction with residential growth.  The route provides the one of the main links from the A470 into the County Borough, particularly for the employment centres at Tredomen and Oakdale.  The route, particularly between Ystrad Mynach and Nelson, is constrained by alignment and constriction problems and improvement options for maintaining the efficiency of the route will need to be considered. 

Newbridge is an important district shopping centre for the Ebbw Valley and has high frequencies of bus movements through the town centre.  The recent opening of rail passenger services and the rail station at Newbridge are important in encouraging travel by public transport and increasing opportunities for interchange.  Due to site constraints, bus operations have not been arranged to culminate at a bus station at the town centre.  Potentially facilities to provide for a bus/rail interchange could be identified which would improve passenger interchange and provide enhanced infrastructure for bus operators and passengers.

The A472 between Ystrad Mynach and Maesycwmmer is the key link between the dualled Lower Rhymney Relief Road and the Newbridge-Maesycwmmer bypass.  Present traffic levels along the A472 through Maesycwmmer exceed capacity and the resulting problems of congestion and queuing vehicles, during peak periods, inhibits the efficient functioning of the network.  The RTP identifies this section as a congestion point on the region's Strategic Highway Network and the route features in the Consultative Draft RTP as one of a number of regional routes in need of further development work, which will be carried out as part of the RTP. 

In the short term, improvements to the highway network in this area will be carried out as part of the Ystrad Mynach Local General Hospital development (identified under Policy TR7 of the LDP).  Whilst the improvements will offer significant benefits over the existing infrastructure, including a new dedicated slip road for traffic travelling between Maesycwmmer and Caerphilly and improvements to the signalised junction in Maesycwmmer, the improvements will not resolve the problems in this area.  The single carriageway route through Maesycwmmer will continue to act as a restraint to the overall level of traffic using the network.  The functioning of the route will need to be monitored following the highway improvements and, if necessary, options for resolving the issues will be considered as part of the early review of the LDP

This policy refers to the highway improvements necessary to support the development of the new Ystrad Mynach Local General Hospital.  Ystrad Mynach is located in a key strategic location on the intersection of the A469 / A472 and the area experiences heavy traffic flows, especially at peak times during the day.  The new hospital, together with the development of the new council headquarters at Tredomen, means that addressing the traffic issues in the area has become a key priority.  The improvements to the highway network will include:

• A new access road into the hospital site from the A469 dual carriageway, including a bridge over the river.

• An improved roundabout centred on the existing A469 / A472 roundabout intersection together with a new dedicated slip road for traffic travelling between the A472 at Maesycwmmer and Caerphilly / Cardiff.

• A remodelled junction through the double roundabouts in the vicinity of the Royal Oak Public House requiring a reconstructed bridge and major culvert works.

• Extra lane width and revised junction arrangements in the proximity of the Maesycwmmer traffic signals.

The proposed highway improvements offer significant benefits over the existing infrastructure, with the inclusion of a new river crossing and an upgrade to another river crossing.  However, the single carriageway through Maesycwmmer and from the Royal Oak to Tredomen will continue to act as restraints to the overall level of traffic using this network. 

Southern part of the Rhymney Valley Linear Route linking from Ystrad Mynach to Bedwas/ Trethomas, providing community access improvements and linking the National Cycle Network Routes 46, 47 and 4.

Network of radial routes linking Caerphilly Basin / town centre with the Aber Valley, Llanbradach, Bedwas, St Mellons, Machen, Nantgarw and National Cycle Network Route 4.  The routes will improve community access and provide walking and cycling links to public transport, tourism locations, employment areas and other key attractors. 

Local cycle link from Newbridge to Crosskeys and a section of Upland Route leading from Abercarn towards Hafodyrynys.  The routes will provide improved community access, links to the local cycle network and wider access to the countryside.

Land is safeguarded for the provision of a new station at Energlyn to improve access to the rail network for the local community and encourage greater use of rail services along the Rhymney Line, which has a service of four trains per hour from Bargoed to Cardiff.  The new station forms part of the final stage of the Rhymney Line Frequency Enhancements scheme, which would increase service frequency to provide a half hourly service between Bargoed and Rhymney.

This scheme involves the provision of a signalised junction at Tafwys Walk / Nantgarw Road, which is important in managing local traffic in the vicinity of the Piccadilly Gyratory.

Trecenydd Roundabout is located along the Caerphilly Northern Bypass and provides an important link for communities located within the Aber Valley.  The roundabout is unable to cope efficiently with present traffic volumes travelling along the A468 / A469 between Caerphilly and Cardiff, which results in congestion and particular problems for traffic from the Aber Valley accessing the A468.  This not only causes localised problems but also serves to put pressure on Pwllypant Roundabout and other rural roads during peak hours as traffic is displaced to alternative routes.  The scheme will redesign the roundabout to a required standard and provide better access to the A468 / A469 particularly for commuters from the Aber Valley.  The redesign of the roundabout would be required as part of a scheme to improve the A468 / A469 Pwllypant to Penrhos.

The A468 / A469 Caerphilly Northern Bypass is the main artery linking Caerphilly and settlements in the north of the borough to the trunk road network (A470, M4) and Cardiff.  The A468 / A469 Caerphilly Northern Bypass is already heavily overloaded at peak periods and all junctions are at, or in excess of, capacity at peak times.  Improvements to this key 6 arm junction at Pwllypant, which connects the A468 and A469 and form part of the strategic network of roads in South East Wales, are required to improve efficiency of the network and reduce congestion, which is evident for periods throughout the day.

Bedwas Bridge Roundabout is a key junction on the northern route around Caerphilly town centre.         It links the communities of Bedwas and Trethomas to the northern bypass and contributes to efficient distribution of traffic within the Caerphilly Basin.  The junction also provides access to the park and ride facility at Caerphilly Station via the Lansbury Park ring road.  The roundabout currently operates efficiently for much of the day, however congestion is evident during peak hours and further development in the Caerphilly Basin will put increased pressure on this key junction.  A major constraint in improving operation of the roundabout is Bedwas Bridge and therefore improvements will require the provision of a second crossing.        Highway improvements to A468 Bedwas Bridge will require a Flood Consequences Assessment to be submitted as part of any future planning application.

Piccadilly Gyratory is a key junction in managing and distributing traffic travelling within and through Caerphilly town centre.  Traffic growth in the town centre has resulted in additional capacity being required at the junction.           The scheme will upgrade and improve the existing traffic signals, improving network efficiency and providing additional capacity at the junction to relieve congestion and related environmental problems in the town centre.

The current A468 / A469 varies in standard between dual carriageway and single carriageway.  The single-carriageway section between Pwllypant and Penrhos has traffic levels far exceeding design capacity, which results in problems of congestion and queuing vehicles along the route during peak periods.  This leads to traffic diverting through Caerphilly town centre, which increases traffic congestion / environmental problems and reduces the attractiveness of the town centre.  The scheme will upgrade the existing A468/A469 single-carriageway road between Pwllypant and Penrhos roundabouts to dual carriageway standard, which will link into the existing dualled sections leading northwards from Pwllypant (along the A469) and westwards from Penrhos to the A470 (along the A468).  The scheme aims to provide a high quality route along the length of the A468 / A469, to maximise the efficiency of the strategic highway network, reduce congestion/pollution, remove through traffic from Caerphilly town centre and improve access to the north of the borough to encourage economic regeneration.

The section of the A468 between Pwllypant and Bedwas Bridge is important in managing traffic and congestion in Caerphilly town centre.  The road completes the northern route around the town and currently operates efficiently for much of the day.  However congestion is evident during the peak hours when commuter traffic is at its highest and further development in Caerphilly Basin will put increased pressure on the route.  Network efficiency improvements will be required to maintain its attraction as a route for through traffic and prevent traffic diverting through the town centre.

The Bedwas Colliery site has been identified for mixed-use development.  However, the existing potential points of access for the site are substandard.  Consequently any land use development on the site that would require access for users will necessitate the construction of a new access road.

Transport, and in particular problems of congestion and queuing traffic, are a significant contributing factor toward the air quality issues facing Caerphilly town centre.  Some improvements, which aim to help alleviate the traffic issues in the town centre, have been considered as part of the LDP process, most significantly the identification of a southern bypass for Caerphilly.  In order to ensure that any improvements to the transport network will result in the desired improvement of air quality in the town centre, comprehensive investigation of the sources of the problem, and assessment of the alternative options will need to be undertaken.  However it is important to ensure that whilst the necessary investigative work is underway, no development is permitted that could potentially prejudice the future alignment of a bypass.  On completion of the work the Council will either seek to confirm the safeguarded route for the development of a bypass or will remove the safeguarded corridor from the Plan.