Construction of fifty additional parking spaces at Porth Park and Ride is scheduled to commence during the week beginning Monday 19 October.
The third stage of the development will occupy most of the vacant land situated behind the Rheola Hotel, adjacent to the current Park and Ride operation.
The scheme involves repositioning the route of the existing industrial estate road to maximise available area.
Accompanying infrastructure improvements include new illumination systems and drainage works.
The council’s appointed contractor, Centregreat Ltd, will initially establish the site compound before the principal building works get underway.
Planning consent for the project was granted in April 2026, with an anticipated completion date in spring 2027.
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council obtained funding from the Welsh Government in March 2026, with resources allocated through the Cardiff Capital Region Regional Transport Fund for the 2026/27 financial year.
A sum of £1.369 million was designated for the delivery of Phase Three at Porth Park and Ride.
The facility benefits from proximity to Porth Railway Station and the Porth Transport Hub, with the project designed to facilitate easier integration of car travel with rail and bus services for both local residents and those commuting through the area.
The initial phase provided seventy-three parking bays at the railway station, along with associated amenities such as street lighting and bicycle storage.
The second phase added a further twenty-nine parking spaces in a car park located opposite the Rheola Hotel.
Some inconvenience to local residents is anticipated during construction.
The portion of the Park and Ride situated to the south of the Rheola Hotel will be taken out of service on a temporary basis, as will the area at the front of the establishment.
Two-way temporary traffic signals will be installed along the industrial estate road for the full duration of the works.
Any traffic management measures required on Rheola Road will be carried out outside standard hours.
Occasional overnight closures of the industrial estate road will be necessary to facilitate resurfacing operations, with advance notification to be provided by the council.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Capital Infrastructure, explained that the Phase Three works would bring an area of derelict land into productive use, generating fifty additional parking spaces to serve the railway station and Porth Transport Hub.
He noted that investment in extra parking at railway stations represented a significant opportunity to promote greater use of public transport for portions of everyday journeys, thereby reducing road congestion, shortening travel times, and benefiting the environment.
The transport hub opened in the previous year through collaboration between the council and Transport for Wales, capitalising on Porth’s advantageous position as an access point to both the Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr valleys.
The facility consolidated railway and bus operations at a single location, complete with real-time departure information for both transport modes, together with taxi and cycling facilities.
The forthcoming expansion to provide fifty additional spaces in the vicinity would further improve accessibility for local residents and commuters.
The council has recently confirmed a contractor for scheme delivery, with construction commencing on 19 October and completion targeted within the current financial year.
The authority has welcomed significant Welsh Government financial support, securing in excess of £1.3 million to fully fund the project.
Local residents have been advised to expect some disruption, including temporary closure of sections of the existing park and ride, use of temporary traffic signals on the industrial estate road, and planned overnight road closures.
Residents have been thanked in advance for their patience and cooperation during the construction period.