EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

THE NEATH TO ABERGAVENNY TRUNK ROAD (A465) (ABERGAVENNY TO HIRWAUN DUALLING AND SLIP ROADS) AND EAST OF ABERCYNON TO EAST OF DOWLAIS TRUNK ROAD (A4060), CARDIFF TO GLAN CONWY TRUNK ROAD (A470) (CONNECTING ROADS) ORDER 1999, (DOWLAIS TOP TO HIRWAUN) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 201- THE NEATH TO ABERGAVENNY TRUNK ROAD (A465) (ABERGAVENNY TO HIRWAUN DUALLING AND SLIP ROADS) AND EAST OF ABERCYNON TO EAST OF DOWLAIS TRUNK ROAD (A4060), CARDIFF TO GLAN CONWY TRUNK ROAD (A470) (CONNECTING ROADS) ORDER 1999, (DOWLAIS TOP TO HIRWAUN) (SIDE ROADS) ORDER 201-1. INTRODUCTION EXPLANATORY STATEMENT The Welsh Ministers, as the relevant highway authority, are responsible for all trunk roads in Wales. The A465 is an important part of the Welsh Government (WG) strategic road network and it serves as the major east/west route linking the industrial centres of the midlands and South Wales as well as providing an alternative route to the M4. The proposed A465 Dowlais Top to Hirwaun Dualling (the Scheme ) will provide a new 17.7km highway commencing at the eastern limit of the Tower Colliery Sidings Bridge of the existing A465 trunk road, west of Hirwaun Junction, and terminating at the western limit of the Fochriw Road Bridge, east of Dowlais Top Junction. The scheme is predominantly an on line improvement with the exception of a 1.4km offline section between Hirwaun Junction and Trewaun Junction and a 0.8km offline section between Taf Fechan Bridge and Gurnos farm Underpass. A dual carriageway standard has been adopted with 6 grade separated junctions. There are 120 structures with in the scheme comprising 35 bridges, 43 culverts and 42 retaining walls. The proposals comprise: a) The draft Line and De-Trunking Order, now published, to provide for the construction of a new length of Trunk Road and the de-trunking of existing lengths of Trunk Road and slip roads. b) The draft Side Roads Order, now published, to stop up lengths of superseded trunk road and to stop up, improve, create or alter other roads, footpaths, cycle tracks, bridleways and private accesses. c) The draft Compulsory Purchase Order, to be published shortly, to provide for the acquisition of the land and rights required for the construction and maintenance of the scheme. An Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared in association with the above Orders and is available for inspection. This project is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in accordance with Section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 and EC Directive 2011/92/EU. In accordance with Regulation 61 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, a Statement to Inform an Appropriate Assessment (SIAA) has been prepared on the possible impacts associated with the Scheme on European site. 1

The ES describes the proposals, identifies the main environmental effects on both the manmade and natural environment and describes the proposed measures to avoid, remedy or reduce impacts and provide environmental enhancement where relevant. The ES is reported in: The Non -Technical Summary Volume 1 - Main Text Volume 2 - Appendices Volume 3 - Supporting Figures Volume 4 - Environmental Masterplan A Non-Technical Summary (NTS) summarises in non-technical language the Environmental Statement (ES). Volume 1 is the main text, which details the methodology and results of the EIA. It sets out ways in which identified impacts can be effectively mitigated. Volume 2 is a set of technical appendices which should also be read alongside Volume 1. Volume 3 is a set of supporting figures which should be read alongside Volume 1. Volume 4 sets out the environmental proposals for the Scheme on a series of drawings that form the Environmental Masterplan (EMP). 2. BACKROUND TO THE PROJECT Road improvements for the 40 km section of the A465 between Abergavenny and Hirwaun were put forward during a public consultation in 1994 with the proposed improvements split into six sections. Following a Preferred Route being chosen in 1997, design development was undertaken with draft Line Order proposals developed and an Environmental Statement published. A Public Local Inquiry was held in 1998, following which the Secretary of State for Wales approved the Line Order announcing a decision to proceed with the proposals in 1999. The development of the Scheme in the 1990s considered a Do-Minimum scenario, which means doing nothing other than ongoing standard highway maintenance. A review of this option confirmed that a dual carriageway was required in order to address the problems with the existing road. Four separate options were considered for the alignment of Sections 1 to 6 namely the red, blue, purple and orange routes. Of these, only the red and purple route proposals offered alternative options to the current alignment within Sections 5 and 6. The proposed red route mainly involved on-line widening of the existing A465 with small sections of off-line improvements. The purple route followed a similar route with an alternative off-line option to route the road to the north of Hirwaun. A public consultation in 1994 drew equal support for both the red and purple routes at Hirwaun. Concerns about both the demolition of properties and protection of the countryside, especially in relation to the Brecon Beacons National Park meant that the red route from Dowlais Top to Hirwaun was selected as the preferred option with a modification at Hirwaun. The modification encompassed a new off-line section to the south between the Hirwaun and Trewaun Junctions. To date, the dualling of Section 1 (Abergavenny to Gilwern), Section 3 (Brynmawr to Tredegar) and Section 4 (Tredegar to Dowlais Top) have been completed with Section 2 (Gilwern to Brynmawr) currently under construction and due for completion in 2018. 2

Work re-commenced on Sections 5 and 6 in 2015 with a WelTAG review of the 1997 route options. This review concluded that the preferred on-line widening option was to remain as proposed in 1997. Since 2015 the design has been developed and has considered changes in policy, standards and land use. Key design changes since the 1997 Line Orders include improved access to the Prince Charles Hospital and the inclusion of provision for equestrians, cyclists and pedestrians. 3. EXISTING CONDITIONS Problems associated with the existing section of the A465 include: substandard road alignment; substandard visibility and stopping sight distances; lack of overtaking opportunities; lack of provision for non-motorised users; accident clusters, particularly at or near existing junctions; conflict between local and strategic through traffic at junctions; congestion at peak times; lack of resilience leading to difficult conditions for highway maintenance and management of traffic; poor links between communities; slow moving vehicles on uphill gradients; frequency of side road junctions onto the trunk road; and substandard lay-bys. 4. CONSULTATIONS The wider public has been informed about the proposed scheme by four Public Information Exhibitions held in December 2015. Issues raised during these consultations have been considered as the draft Orders have been developed. These Public Information Exhibitions were held at 3 venues on 7 th, 8 th, 11 th December 2015 with a total of 725 people attending. and 12 th In addition, Environmental Bodies and other stakeholders have been consulted individually and as part of an Environmental Liaison Group (ELG) during the evolution of the Scheme design. The ELG brings together representatives from Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, South Wales Trunk Road Agent, Cadw, Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Caerphilly County Borough Council. It is intended that the ELG would continue to meet regularly throughout the preconstruction and construction period. Scheme details have also been presented to the Design Commission for Wales and the relevant Local Authorities as well as Community and Town Councils. Their comments have also been considered in the development of the scheme. Statutory Undertakers have been consulted regarding diversions and protection of infrastructure. Landowners and people whose properties or private accesses would be directly affected by the Scheme have been contacted and informed about the details of the proposed scheme. 3

5. SCHEME OBJECTIVES The over-arching scheme objectives are to: Facilitate economic regeneration of the heads of the valleys area by improving accessibility, reducing journey time and improving journey time reliability. Strengthen resilience on the A465 by improving standards and enhancing road safety. In addition to the Welsh Government s policy objectives, the scheme specific objectives are to: Maintain the current level of services and to carry out improvements. Reduce journey times for private and commercial road users. Facilitate economic regeneration. Enhance road safety. Deliver a scheme that is sustainable. Improve Non-Motorised User (NMU) provision, providing opportunity for healthy lifestyle and a reduction in short vehicle journeys. Deliver a scheme which minimises future maintenance requirements and disruption to the network. Reduce journey time variability and improve resilience on the A465. Use the A465 to manage traffic effectively and improve resilience on the strategic road network in South East Wales. Deliver a scheme that integrates with public transport and the local transport network. Do all this with proper care for the environment. 6. THE PROPOSED SCHEME The Scheme would extend between Hirwaun and Dowlais Top for 17.7km and would predominantly be an on line improvement of the existing A465 trunk road. It would depart from the existing A465 between the Hirwaun and Trewaun Junctions for 1.4km and between the Taf Fechan Bridge and the Gurnos Farm Underpass for 0.8km. The new road would be a 70mph dual carriageway with six grade separate junctions. The following junctions would be constructed as part of the Scheme: Hirwaun Junction: linking with A4061 Rhigos Road, A4059 Penderyn Road, Tower Road and the de-trunked A465. Croesbychan Junction: linking with Swansea Road, Keepers Lane and the unnamed road serving Llwydcoed Crematorium. Baverstock Junction: linking with Swansea Road, B4276 Merthyr Road and the unnamed road serving Llwydcoed Crematorium. A470 Junction: linking with the A470 trunk road. Prince Charles Hospital Junction: linking with Gurnos Ring Road, Pontsarn Road, Bryniau Road and the road known locally as The ICI. Dowlais Junction: linking with A4060 trunk road, High Street and the road serving Pengarnddu Industrial Estate. All junctions would be grade separated with full movement allowing drivers on the A465 to pass through uninterrupted. The Scheme would tie into the existing A465 immediately east of the Tower Colliery Sidings Underbridge. It would continue on-line and generally within the footprint of the existing A465 up to the proposed new Hirwaun Junction. On the approach to the new junction the road 4

would rise to approximately 10 m above existing levels on embankment to cross over the new circulatory via two new bridges. The A4061 Rhigos Road would be realigned to suit the new circulatory configuration and access would also be provided to the de-trunked A465 and areas served by Tower Road. A new bridge would also be constructed to carry the proposed A465 over the Nant Y Bwlch watercourse to the east of the junction. Continuing east from Hirwaun Junction the proposed scheme would deviate from the line of the existing A465 for approximately 1.4km passing to the south of the Hirwaun Welfare Ground before coming back on-line at Trewaun. The road would be constructed through cutting at this location up to a depth of approximately 12.5m. A new overbridge would be constructed over the A465 to provide access to the Mynydd Bwllfa Wind Farm to the south of the proposed road. Links between Penywaun and Hirwaun would be maintained through the construction of a new roundabout at Trewaun with two new overbridges connecting to Brecon Road and the de-trunked section of the existing A465. A number of retaining walls would be constructed to reduce the impact on local properties and services. A new bridge would also be constructed to carry the proposed road over the Afon Cynon watercourse. At Croesbychan a new grade separated junction would be constructed to replace the existing at grade staggered cross roads. The junction would be a dumb-bell arrangement and would provide access to Hirwaun and Llwydcoed via a new link constructed between Swansea Road and Crematorium Road. It could also facilitate any future development of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council s Cynon Valley Gateway scheme. The junction and the mainline would predominantly be constructed on embankment up to 13 m high. Three new bridges would be constructed to carry the proposed A465 over the Vale of Neath Railway and the new junction arrangement. There would also be a new bridge constructed over the Nant Melyn watercourse with the existing Nant Melyn Bridge being used as a facility for Non-Motorised Users (NMUs). Moving east from Croesbychan the road would predominantly involve on-line widening of the existing A465. A new bridge would be constructed over the Nant Hir Reservoir parallel to the existing arch bridge to allow crossing of the westbound carriageway of the proposed A465 while the existing bridge would be used to carry the eastbound carriageway. The Baverstock Junction would be a grade separate junction with a dumb-bell arrangement. The western half of the junction would be constructed on embankment up to 16 m high with the eastern half being constructed in cutting up to 17 m high. The proposed mainline of the A465 would cross over the junction via a new box structure between the two roundabouts. Continuing eastwards from Baverstock Junction the mainline of the proposed scheme would be constructed on embankment up to 12 m high. A new link road would also be constructed between Swansea Road and Baverstock Junction. It would run parallel to the south of the proposed A465 and would be designed for two way traffic. A new grade separate junction would be constructed at Cefn Coed to replace the existing at grade A470/A465 roundabout. The junction would have a tear drop arrangement with the proposed A465 running to the north of the existing road at a higher level. Four new Bridges would be constructed at this location to bridge the Nant Ffrwd and Taf Fawr watercourses. 5

The existing road and structures to the south would be used to provide the westbound entry and exit slip roads for the junction. A bridge would also be constructed to carry the proposed A465 over the A470 Junction. A 210m long retaining wall would be constructed along the A470 adjacent to the Cefn-Coed Cemetery to reduce land take and the existing High Street overbridge would be replaced by a new structure to accommodate the widening for the proposed road. As the road continues from the A470 Junction the proposed A465 would remain on-line to the existing road with widening to the north and south. The existing Taf Fechan Bridge would be widened symmetrically through the construction of two steel arch bridges either side of the existing concrete structure. The proposed road would depart from the line of the existing immediately east of the Taf Fechan Bridge for approximately 0.8km. Due to the topography in this area the road would be constructed in a series of cuttings and on embankments up to 16 m and 13.5 m high respectively. The Prince Charles Hospital Junction is a grade separate junction with a circulatory arrangement located above the proposed A465 which would pass underneath. Retaining walls would be constructed either side of the mainline alignment to retain the slip roads and two overbridges would be constructed to carry the circulatory across the A465. The section of road between the Prince Charles Hospital and Dowlais Junctions would predominantly involve online widening of the existing road. Access to Pant Industrial Estate from Pant Road would be re-aligned to accommodate the new bridge which would be constructed to replace the existing Pant Bridge. At Dowlais Top two new bridges would be constructed to carry the A465 over the existing circulatory carriageway before it ties in with the constructed A465 Section 4 dual carriageway in the vicinity of the Fochriw Road underbridge. The mainline would be constructed on embankment up to a height of approximately 9m above existing levels. The Scheme would utilise the existing circulatory and east facing slip roads in the proposed works. 7. DRAFT ORDERS The Welsh Ministers do not require planning permission to carry out the proposed Scheme. The powers to construct the new sections of trunk roads and to de-trunk parts of the trunk roads, would be obtained through the original 1999 Line Order and the The Neath to Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465) (Abergavenny to Hirwaun Dualling and Slip Roads) and East of Abercynon to east of Dowlais Trunk Road (A4060), Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) (Connecting Roads) Order 1999, (Dowlais Top to Hirwaun) (Amendment) Order 201-, now published in draft. The Welsh Ministers are empowered as the highway authority for trunk roads in Wales, to undertake improvements to the existing trunk road under section 62 of the Highway Act 1980. The power to stop up, alter, improve highways, footpaths and private means of access and to construct new highways, public footpaths and private means of access would be obtained through The Neath to Abergavenny Trunk Road (A465) (Abergavenny to Hirwaun Dualling and Slip Roads) and East of Abercynon to east of Dowlais Trunk Road (A4060), Cardiff to Glan Conwy Trunk Road (A470) (Connecting Roads) Order 1999, (Dowlais Top to Hirwaun) (Side Roads) Order 201-, now published in draft. A draft Compulsory Purchase Order will be published shortly and this will enable the Welsh Ministers to acquire all the land and rights over the land, necessary for the proposed scheme. In drawing up the proposed scheme, regard has been given to the interference with 6

the rights of all those with interests in the relevant lands and/or who would otherwise be affected by the scheme. 7

GORCHYMYN GORCHYMYN CEFNFFORDD CASTELL-NEDD Y FENNI (A465) (DEUOLI O R FENNI I HIRWAUN A R FFYRDD YMUNO AC YMADAEL) A FFORDD MAN I R DWYRAIN O ABERCYNON MAN I R DWYRAIN O DDOWLAIS (A4060), CEFNFFORDD CAERDYDD GLANCONWY (A470) (FFYRDD CYSYLLTU) 1999 (DOWLAIS TOP I HIRWAUN) (DIWYGIO) 201- GORCHYMYN CEFNFFORDD CASTELL-NEDD I R FENNI (YR A465) (DEUOLI O R FENNI I HIRWAUN A R FFYRDD YMUNO AC YMADAEL) A CHEFNFFORDD MAN I R DWYRAIN O ABERCYNON I FAN I R DWYRAIN O DDOWLAIS (YR A4060) A CHEFNFFORDD CAERDYDD I LANSANFFRAID GLAN CONWY (YR A470) (FFYRDD CYSYLLTU) (DOWLAIS TOP I HIRWAUN) (FFYRDD YMYL) 201-8. RHAGARWEINIAD DATGANIAD ESBONIADOL Mae Gweinidogion Cymru, sef yr awdurdod priffyrdd perthnasol, yn gyfrifol am bob cefnffordd yng Nghymru. Mae r A465 yn rhan bwysig o rwydwaith ffyrdd strategol Llywodraeth Cymru. Dyma r prif lwybr o r dwyrain i r gorllewin sy n cysylltu canolfannau diwydiannol canolbarth Lloegr a de Cymru. Mae hefyd yn darparu llwybr arall yn lle r M4. Bydd y Cynllun arfaethedig i ddeuoli r A465 o Ddowlais Top i Hirwaun (y Cynllun ) yn darparu priffordd newydd 17.7 cilomedr o hyd sy n cychwyn ym mhen dwyreiniol Pont Seidins Pwll Glo r Tower ar gefnffordd bresennol yr A465, i r gorllewin o Gyffordd Hirwaun, ac yn dod i ben ym mhen gorllewinol eithaf Pont Fochriw Road, i r dwyrain o Gyffordd Dowlais Top. Cynllun yw hwn i wella ar yr un llinell, yn bennaf, ac eithrio adran 1.4 cilomedr oddi ar y llinell rhwng Cyffordd Hirwaun a Chyffordd Trewaun ac adran 0.8 cilomedr oddi ar y llinell rhwng Pont Taf Fechan a Thanffordd Fferm y Gurnos. Mabwysiadwyd safon ffordd ddeuol gyda chyffyrdd aml-lefel gradd 6. Mae r Cynllun yn cynnwys 120 o strwythurau sef 35 pont, 43 cwlfert a 42 wal gynnal. Dyma r cynigion: d) Y Gorchymyn Llinell a Thynnu Statws Cefnffordd drafft, sydd bellach wedi ei gyhoeddi, i ddarparu ar gyfer adeiladu darn newydd o gefnffordd a thynnu statws cefnffordd oddi ar ddarnau presennol o r gefnffordd a r ffyrdd ymuno ac ymadael. e) Y Gorchymyn Ffyrdd Ymyl drafft, sydd bellach wedi ei gyhoeddi, i gau darnau o r gefnffordd sydd wedi eu disodli ac i gau, gwella, creu neu addasu ffyrdd, llwybrau troed, llwybrau beicio, llwybrau ceffylau a mynedfeydd preifat eraill. f) Y Gorchymyn Prynu Gorfodol drafft, sydd i w gyhoeddi cyn hir, i ddarparu ar gyfer caffael y tir a r hawliau sy n ofynnol er mwyn adeiladu a chynnal y Cynllun. Lluniwyd Datganiad Amgylcheddol i gyd-fynd â r Gorchmynion uchod ac mae ar gael i edrych arno. Mae r prosiect hwn yn ddarostyngedig i Asesiad o r Effaith Amgylcheddol yn unol ag adran 105A o Ddeddf Priffyrdd 1980 a Chyfarwyddeb 2011/92/EU y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd. Yn unol â rheoliad 61 o Reoliadau Cadwraeth Cynefinoedd a Rhywogaethau 2010, lluniwyd Datganiad i Hysbysu Asesiad Priodol ar yr effeithiau posibl sy n gysylltiedig â r Cynllun ar safle Ewropeaidd. Mae r Datganiad Amgylcheddol yn disgrifio r cynigion, yn nodi r prif effeithiau amgylcheddol ar yr amgylchedd o waith dyn a r amgylchedd naturiol, ac yn disgrifio r mesurau arfaethedig i osgoi, unioni neu leihau effeithiau ac i ddarparu gwelliannau i r amgylchedd pan fo hynny n berthnasol. 8

Ceir adroddiad ar y Datganiad Amgylcheddol yn: Y Crynodeb Annhechnegol Cyfrol 1 - Prif Destun Cyfrol 2 - Atodiadau Cyfrol 3 - Ffigurau Ategol Cyfrol 4 - Prif Gynllun Amgylcheddol Mae r Crynodeb Annhechnegol yn crynhoi r Datganiad Amgylcheddol mewn iaith annhechnegol. Cyfrol 1 yw r prif destun, ac mae n disgrifio r fethodoleg a chanlyniadau r Asesiad o r Effaith Amgylcheddol yn fanwl. Mae n disgrifio sut y gellir lliniaru r effeithiau a nodwyd yn effeithiol. Set o atodiadau technegol yw Cyfrol 2, y dylid eu darllen ochr yn ochr â Chyfrol 1. Set o ffigurau ategol yw Cyfrol 3, y dylid eu darllen ochr yn ochr â Chyfrol 1. Mae Cyfrol 4 yn dangos cynigion amgylcheddol y Cynllun mewn cyfres o luniadau sy n ffurfio r Prif Gynllun Amgylcheddol. 9. CEFNDIR Y PROSIECT Cynigiwyd cynlluniau i wella r ffordd ar y darn 40 cilomedr o r A465 rhwng y Fenni a Hirwaun yn ystod ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ym 1994. Rhannwyd y gwelliannau arfaethedig yn chwe adran. Ar ôl dewis y Llwybr a Ffefrir ym 1997, aethpwyd ati i ddylunio r gwaith, gan ddatblygu cynigion drafft ar gyfer y Gorchymyn Llinell a chyhoeddi Datganiad Amgylcheddol. Cynhaliwyd Ymchwiliad Cyhoeddus Lleol ym 1998, ac yn dilyn hynny cymeradwyodd Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru r Gorchymyn Llinell gan gyhoeddi penderfyniad i fwrw ymlaen â r cynigion ym 1999. Wrth ddatblygu r Cynllun yn y 1990au ystyriwyd sefyllfa o wneud cyn lleied â phosibl, sy n golygu gwneud dim ar wahân i waith cynnal a chadw arferol ar y briffordd. Wrth adolygu r opsiwn hwn cadarnhawyd bod angen ffordd ddeuol er mwyn mynd i r afael â r problemau oedd yn gysylltiedig â r ffordd bresennol. Ystyriwyd pedwar opsiwn gwahanol ar gyfer alinio Adrannau 1 i 6 sef y llwybrau coch, glas, porffor ac oren. O r rhain, dim ond y llwybr coch a r llwybr porffor oedd yn cynnig opsiwn amgen i aliniad presennol Adrannau 5 a 6. Cynllun i ledu llinell bresennol yr A465 oedd y cynllun coch, yn bennaf, ynghyd â gwelliannau oddi ar y llinell i adrannau bach. Roedd y llwybr porffor yn dilyn llwybr tebyg ond yn cynnwys opsiwn arall oddi ar y llinell fel bod llwybr y ffordd yn mynd i r gogledd o Hirwaun. Denodd ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus ym 1994 gefnogaeth gyfartal i r llwybr coch a r llwybr porffor yn Hirwaun. Roedd pryderon ynghylch dymchwel eiddo ac amddiffyn cefn gwlad, yn enwedig o ran Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog, yn golygu mai r llwybr coch o Ddowlais Top i Hirwaun a ddewiswyd fel yr Opsiwn a Ffefrir, gydag addasiad yn Hirwaun. Roedd yr addasiad yn cwmpasu adran newydd oddi ar y llinell i r de rhwng Cyffordd Hirwaun a Chyffordd Trewaun. Hyd yn hyn, gorffennwyd deuoli Adran 1 (Y Fenni i Gilwern), Adran 3 (Bryn-mawr i Dredegar) ac Adran 4 (Tredegar i Ddowlais Top) ac mae Adran 2 (Gilwern i Fryn-mawr) yn cael ei hadeiladu ar hyn o bryd. Disgwylir iddi gael ei chwblhau yn 2018. Ailgychwynnodd y gwaith ar Adrannau 5 a 6 yn 2015 a chynhaliwyd adolygiad WelTAG o opsiynau 1997 ar gyfer y llwybr. Daeth yr adolygiad hwn i r casgliad y dylai r opsiwn i ledu ar yr un llinell barhau i fod fel y i cynigiwyd ym 1997. Ers 2015 datblygwyd y dyluniad ac ystyriwyd newidiadau o ran polisi, safonau a r defnydd o dir. 9

Mae r prif newidiadau i r dyluniad ers Gorchmynion Llinell 1997 yn cynnwys gwell mynediad i Ysbyty r Tywysog Siarl a darpariaeth ar gyfer marchogwyr, beicwyr a cherddwyr. 10. YR AMODAU PRESENNOL Mae r problemau sy n gysylltiedig â r adran bresennol o r A465 yn cynnwys: aliniad ffordd sy n is na r safon ofynnol; gwelededd a phellteroedd gweld i stopio sy n annigonol; prinder cyfleoedd i oddiweddyd; diffyg darpariaeth ar gyfer defnyddwyr nad ydynt mewn cerbydau modur; clystyrau o ddamweiniau, yn enwedig wrth gyffyrdd neu gerllaw iddynt; gwrthdaro rhwng traffig lleol a thraffig drwodd strategol wrth gyffyrdd; tagfeydd ar yr adegau prysuraf; diffyg cydnerthedd sy n arwain at amodau anodd o ran gwneud gwaith cynnal a chadw a rheoli traffig ar y ffordd; cysylltiadau gwael rhwng cymunedau; cerbydau n symud yn araf wrth ddringo ar i fyny; amryw o gyffyrdd ffyrdd ymyl yn ymuno â r gefnffordd; a chilfannau sy n is na r safon ofynnol. 11. YMGYNGHORIADAU Hysbyswyd y cyhoedd am y Cynllun arfaethedig mewn pedair Arddangosfa Gwybodaeth i r Cyhoedd a gynhaliwyd ym mis Rhagfyr 2015. Ystyriwyd y materion a godwyd yn ystod yr ymgynghoriadau hyn wrth i r Gorchmynion drafft gael eu datblygu. Cynhaliwyd yr Arddangosfeydd Gwybodaeth i r Cyhoedd mewn 3 lleoliad ar 7, 8, 11 a 12 Rhagfyr 2015. Daeth cyfanswm o 725 o bobl i w gweld. Ymgynghorwyd yn unigol â Chyrff Amgylcheddol a rhanddeiliaid eraill hefyd, yn ogystal ag fel rhan o Grŵp Cyswllt Amgylcheddol, wrth ddatblygu dyluniad y Cynllun. Mae r Grŵp Cyswllt Amgylcheddol yn dod â chynrychiolwyr ynghyd o Lywodraeth Cymru, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Asiant Cefnffyrdd De Cymru, Cadw, Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Morgannwg Gwent, Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf a Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili. Bwriedir i r Grŵp Cyswllt Amgylcheddol barhau i gyfarfod yn rheolaidd drwy gydol y cyfnod cyn adeiladu a r cyfnod adeiladu. Cyflwynwyd manylion y Cynllun hefyd i Gomisiwn Dylunio Cymru, i r awdurdodau lleol perthnasol, ac i r cynghorau tref a chymuned perthnasol. Ystyriwyd eu sylwadau hefyd wrth ddatblygu r Cynllun. Ymgynghorwyd ag Ymgymerwyr Statudol ynghylch gwyriadau ac amddiffyn y seilwaith. Cysylltwyd â thirfeddianwyr a phobl y bydd y Cynllun yn effeithio n uniongyrchol ar eu heiddo neu ar eu mynedfeydd preifat, i w hysbysu am fanylion y Cynllun arfaethedig. 12. AMCANION Y CYNLLUN Prif amcanion y Cynllun yw: Hwyluso adfywiad economaidd ardal Blaenau r Cymoedd drwy ei gwneud yn fwy hygyrch, lleihau amseroedd teithio a gwneud amseroedd teithio yn fwy dibynadwy. Gwneud yr A465 yn fwy cydnerth drwy wella safonau a diogelwch y ffordd. 10

Yn ychwanegol at amcanion polisi Llywodraeth Cymru, amcanion penodol y Cynllun yw: Cynnal lefel bresennol gwasanaethau a gwneud gwelliannau. Lleihau amseroedd teithio i ddefnyddwyr preifat a defnyddwyr masnachol y ffordd. Hwyluso adfywiad economaidd. Gwella diogelwch y ffordd. Darparu cynllun cynaliadwy. Gwella r ddarpariaeth i ddefnyddwyr heblaw modurwyr, gan gynnwys darparu cyfleoedd i ddilyn ffordd iach o fyw a gwneud llai o deithiau byrion mewn cerbydau. Darparu cynllun sy n lleihau r gofynion cynnal a chadw ac yn amharu cyn lleied â phosibl ar y rhwydwaith yn y dyfodol. Lleihau r amrywiaeth mewn amseroedd teithio a gwneud yr A465 yn fwy cydnerth. Defnyddio r A465 i reoli traffig yn effeithiol a gwneud rhwydwaith ffyrdd strategol deddwyrain Cymru yn fwy cydnerth. Darparu cynllun sy n integreiddio gyda thrafnidiaeth gyhoeddus a r rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth lleol. Gwneud hyn oll gan ofalu n briodol am yr amgylchedd. 13. Y CYNLLUN ARFAETHEDIG Bwriedir i r Cynllun ymestyn am 17.7 cilomedr rhwng Hirwaun a Dowlais Top. Gwelliant ar y llinell i gefnffordd bresennol yr A465 fydd hwn, yn anad dim. Bydd yn gwyro oddi wrth yr A465 bresennol rhwng Cyffyrdd Hirwaun a Threwaun am 1.4 cilomedr, a rhwng Pont Taf Fechan a thanffordd Fferm y Gurnos am 0.8 cilomedr. Ffordd ddeuol 70 milltir yr awr fydd y ffordd newydd, ac arni chwe chyffordd aml-lefel. Bwriedir adeiladu r cyffyrdd a ganlyn fel rhan o r Cynllun: Cyffordd Hirwaun: yn cysylltu â r A4061 Ffordd y Rhigos, yr A4059 Ffordd Penderyn, Tower Road a r A465 y tynnwyd statws cefnffordd oddi arni. Cyffordd Croesbychan: yn cysylltu â Swansea Road, Keepers Lane a r ffordd ddienw sy n arwain at Amlosgfa Llwydcoed. Cyffordd Baverstock: yn cysylltu â Swansea Road, y B4276 Ffordd Merthyr a r ffordd ddienw sy n arwain at Amlosgfa Llwydcoed. Cyffordd yr A470: yn cysylltu â chefnffordd yr A470. Cyffordd Ysbyty r Tywysog Siarl: yn cysylltu â Ffordd Gylchol y Gurnos, Ffordd Pontsarn, Bryniau Road a r ffordd sy n cael ei hadnabod yn yr ardal fel The ICI. Cyffordd Dowlais: yn cysylltu â chefnffordd yr A4060, High Street a r ffordd sy n arwain at Ystad Ddiwydiannol Pengarnddu. Bydd yr holl gyffyrdd yn rhai aml-lefel, gan ganiatáu i bob gyrrwr symud ar hyd yr A465 yn ddilestair. Bydd y Cynllun yn cysylltu â r A465 bresennol yn union i r dwyrain o Danbont Seidins Pwll Glo r Tower. Bydd yn parhau ar hyd y llinell ac o fewn ôl troed yr A465, ar y cyfan, hyd at y Gyffordd newydd arfaethedig yn Hirwaun. Wrth agosáu at y gyffordd newydd bydd y ffordd yn codi ar arglawdd i oddeutu 10 metr uwchlaw r lefelau presennol er mwyn croesi ar draws y ffordd gylchol newydd dros ddwy bont newydd. Caiff yr A4061 Ffordd y Rhigos ei hailalinio i weddu i r cyfluniad cylchol newydd. Darperir mynediad hefyd i r A465 y tynnwyd statws cefnffordd oddi arni a r ardaloedd y mae Tower Road yn arwain atynt. Bwriedir codi pont newydd hefyd i gludo r A465 arfaethedig dros gwrs dŵr Nant y Bwlch i r dwyrain o r gyffordd. I r dwyrain o Gyffordd Hirwaun bydd y Cynllun arfaethedig yn gwyro oddi ar linell bresennol yr A465 am oddeutu 1.4 cilomedr, gan basio i r de o Hirwaun Welfare Ground, cyn ailymuno â r llinell yn Nhrewaun. Bwriedir adeiladu r ffordd hon drwy dorri i ddyfnder o oddeutu 12.5 11

metr yn y fan hon. Caiff trosbont newydd ei hadeiladu dros yr A465 i ddarparu mynediad i Fferm Wynt Mynydd Bwllfa i r de o r ffordd arfaethedig. Caiff y cysylltiadau rhwng Penywaun a Hirwaun eu cynnal drwy adeiladu cylchfan newydd yn Nhrewaun a dwy drosbont newydd yn cysylltu â Brecon Road a r adran o r A465 bresennol y tynnwyd statws cefnffordd oddi arni. Codir amryw o waliau cynnal er mwyn lleihau r effaith ar eiddo a gwasanaethau yn yr ardal. Caiff pont newydd ei chodi hefyd i gludo r ffordd arfaethedig dros gwrs dŵr Afon Cynon. Caiff cyffordd aml-lefel newydd ei hadeiladu yng Nghroesbychan yn lle r groesffordd groesgam un lefel bresennol. Trefniant dymbel fydd i r gyffordd, a bydd yn darparu mynediad i Hirwaun a Llwydcoed drwy greu dolen newydd rhwng Swansea Road a Ffordd yr Amlosgfa. Bydd hefyd o gymorth i unrhyw ddatblygiad pellach i gynllun Porth Cwm Cynon Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf. Caiff y gyffordd a r brif linell eu hadeiladu ar arglawdd hyd at 13 metr o uchder, at ei gilydd. Caiff tair pont newydd eu hadeiladu i gludo r A465 arfaethedig dros Reilffordd Cwm Nedd a r trefniant cyffordd newydd. Codir pont newydd dros gwrs dŵr Nant Melyn hefyd, gan ddefnyddio Pont bresennol Nant Melyn fel cyfleuster ar gyfer defnyddwyr heblaw modurwyr. I r dwyrain o Groesbychan, gwaith i ledu r A465 bresennol ar hyd y llinell fydd yn digwydd yn bennaf. Caiff pont newydd ei chodi dros Gronfa Ddŵr Nant Hir yn gyfochrog â r bont fwa bresennol er mwyn i gerbytffordd tua r gorllewin yr A465 arfaethedig allu croesi drosodd. Defnyddir y bont bresennol i gludo r gerbytffordd tua r dwyrain. Bydd Cyffordd Baverstock yn un aml-lefel gyda threfniant dymbel. Caiff hanner gorllewinol y gyffordd ei godi ar arglawdd hyd at 16 metr o uchder, a chaiff yr hanner dwyreiniol ei adeiladu mewn toriad hyd at 17 metr o uchder. Bydd prif linell arfaethedig yr A465 yn croesi dros y gyffordd drwy strwythur blwch newydd rhwng y ddwy gylchfan. Wrth fynd ymhellach tua r dwyrain o Gyffordd Baverstock, caiff prif linell y Cynllun arfaethedig ei hadeiladu ar arglawdd hyd at 12 metr o uchder. Caiff ffordd gyswllt newydd ei hadeiladu hefyd rhwng Swansea Road a Chyffordd Baverstock. Bydd yn rhedeg yn gyfochrog i r de o r A465 arfaethedig a bydd wedi ei chynllunio ar gyfer traffig dwy ffordd. Caiff cyffordd aml-lefel newydd ei hadeiladu yng Nghefncoedycymer, yn lle cylchfan un lefel bresennol yr A470/A465. Trefniant deigryn fydd i r gyffordd, a bydd yr A465 arfaethedig yn mynd i r gogledd o r ffordd bresennol ar lefel uwch. Caiff pedair pont newydd ei hadeiladu yma i groesi cyrsiau dŵr Nant Ffrwd a Thaf Fawr. Defnyddir y ffordd bresennol a r strwythurau i r de i ddarparu ffyrdd ymuno ac ymadael tua r gorllewin ar gyfer y gyffordd. Caiff pont ei chodi hefyd i gludo r A465 arfaethedig dros Gyffordd yr A470. Caiff wal gynnal 210 metr o hyd ei chodi ar hyd yr A470 gerllaw Mynwent Cefncoedycymer er mwyn cymryd llai o dir, a bydd strwythur newydd yn cael ei godi yn lle trosbont bresennol High Street, yn sgil lledu r ffordd arfaethedig. Wrth i r ffordd fynd yn ei blaen o Gyffordd yr A470 bydd yr A465 arfaethedig yn parhau i fynd ar hyd llinell y ffordd bresennol, gan ledu tua r gogledd a r de. Bydd Pont bresennol Taf Fechan yn cael ei lledu n gyfochrog drwy adeiladu dwy bont fwa ddur y naill ochr a r llall i r strwythur concrit presennol. Bydd y ffordd arfaethedig yn gwyro oddi wrth linell y ffordd bresennol yn union i r dwyrain o Bont Taf Fechan am oddeutu 0.8 cilomedr. Oherwydd 12

topograffi r ardal hon bydd y ffordd yn cael ei hadeiladu mewn cyfres o doriadau hyd at 16 metr o uchder, ac ar argloddiau hyd at 13.5 metr o uchder. Mae Cyffordd Ysbyty r Tywysog Siarl yn un aml-lefel gyda threfniant cylchol. Bydd yn mynd dros yr A465 arfaethedig, fel bod y ffordd yn mynd oddi tani. Caiff waliau cynnal eu hadeiladu'r naill ochr a r llall i aliniad y brif linell er mwyn cynnal y ffyrdd ymuno ac ymadael. Codir dwy drosbont hefyd i gludo r ffordd gylchol dros yr A465. Lledu r ffordd bresennol ar hyd y llinell fydd y gwaith ar yr adran o r ffordd rhwng Cyffyrdd Ysbyty r Tywysog Siarl a Dowlais, yn bennaf. Bydd y fynedfa i Ystad Diwydiannol y Pant o Pant Road yn cael ei hailalinio i wneud lle i r bont newydd. Caiff y bont hon ei hadeiladu yn lle Pont bresennol y Pant. Bwriedir adeiladu dwy bont newydd yn Nowlais Top i gludo r A465 dros y gerbytffordd gylchol bresennol cyn iddi gysylltu â ffordd ddeuol Adran 4 yr A465, sydd wedi ei hadeiladu, gerllaw tanbont Fochriw Road. Bydd y brif linell yn cael ei hadeiladu ar arglawdd hyd at uchder o oddeutu 9 metr uwchlaw r lefelau presennol. Bydd y Cynllun yn defnyddio r ffyrdd ymuno ac ymadael cylchol a dwyreiniol presennol yn y gwaith arfaethedig. 14. GORCHMYNION DRAFFT Nid yw n ofynnol i Weinidogion Cymru gael caniatâd cynllunio i weithredu r Cynllun arfaethedig. Y Gorchymyn Llinell gwreiddiol a luniwyd ym 1999 sy n rhoi r pwerau i adeiladu r adrannau newydd o gefnffyrdd ac i godi statws cefnffordd oddi ar rannau o r cefnffyrdd, ynghyd â Gorchymyn Gorchymyn Cefnffordd Castell-nedd Y Fenni (A465) (Deuoli o r Fenni i Hirwaun a Ffyrdd Ymuno ac Ymadael) a Ffordd Man i r Dwyrain o Abercynon - Man i r Dwyrain o Ddowlais (A4060), Cefnffordd Caerdydd - Glanconwy (A470) (Ffyrdd Cysylltu) 1999 (Dowlais Top i Hirwaun) (Diwygio) 201-. Cyhoeddwyd fersiwn ddrafft o r Gorchymyn hwn. Mae gan Weinidogion Cymru y pŵer, fel yr awdurdod priffyrdd ar gyfer cefnffyrdd yng Nghymru, i wneud gwelliannau i r gefnffordd bresennol o dan adran 62 o Ddeddf Priffyrdd 1980. Mae r pŵer i gau, addasu a gwella priffyrdd, llwybrau troed a mynedfeydd preifat ac i adeiladu priffyrdd, llwybrau troed cyhoeddus a mynedfeydd preifat newydd yn deillio o Gorchymyn Cefnffordd Castell-nedd i r Fenni (yr A465) (Deuoli o r Fenni i Hirwaun a Ffyrdd Ymuno ac Ymadael) a Chefnffordd Man i r Dwyrain o Abercynon i Fan i r Dwyrain o Ddowlais (yr A4060), a Chefnffordd Caerdydd i Lansanffraid Glan Conwy (yr A470) (Ffyrdd Cysylltu) (Dowlais Top i Hirwaun) (Ffyrdd Ymyl) 201-. Cyhoeddwyd fersiwn ddrafft o r Gorchymyn hwn. Cyhoeddir Gorchymyn Prynu Gorfodol drafft cyn hir. Bydd hwn yn galluogi Gweinidogion Cymru i gaffael yr holl dir a r holl hawliau dros y tir sy n angenrheidiol ar gyfer y Cynllun arfaethedig. Wrth lunio r Cynllun arfaethedig, rhoddwyd sylw i r ymyrraeth â hawliau pob un o r rheini sydd â buddiant yn y tiroedd perthnasol a/neu y bydd y Cynllun yn effeithio arnynt fel arall. 13