Relief road restoring vigour to the valleys

摘要

A new relief road has been completed through the Rhymney Valley in south Wales - the first major step in a regeneration initiative in the former colliery region. Renewed optimism surrounds the once thriving mining community of Bargoed in Mid Glamorgan after a new relief road opened to traffic this summer. The town's colliery closed in 1977 and recent decades have seen levels of local unemployment grow in parallel to a steady increase in traffic passing through Bargoed. Relief from congestion and promotion of economic development has arrived with completion of the 3km 'Angel Way' relief road - realigning to modern standards the A469 between Bargoed and neighbouring Gilfach - and a large 'retail plateau' to attract commerce to the area. Together with a bus terminal and park and ride facility, the new road and retail site make up phase one of the Greater Bargoed Community Regeneration Scheme.