A long-running campaign by residents of a Cwmbran street about the condition of their unadopted road has been a success.
Torfaen Council has been given £194,000 from the Welsh Government to bring Brook Street in Pontrhydyrun up to a standard where they (the council) will ‘adopt’ it and become responsible for repairs.
An ‘unadopted’ road doesn’t come under the ownership of Torfaen Council so they don’t have any responsibility for any repairs or maintenance. Those costs fall to the residents of the street.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: “Last Friday I approved the decision to accept Welsh Government funding and to undertake works on Brook Street, Pontnewydd.
“The Council have long had the position that it would want to upgrade unadopted streets within the County Borough. We appreciate residents have waited a long time for this work to be undertaken, but with the help of Welsh Government funding the work can now go ahead.
“The funding is part of a pilot scheme related to the improvement of unadopted roads which 7 local authorities submitted a bid for. Only one street per local authority area could be put forward, and based on previous considerations and an assessment of current conditions, Brook Street was put forward for to Welsh Government for consideration.
“The funding means that £194,000 has been allocated to bring the road up to an adoptable standard after which it will be maintained at public expense.
“Engagement with residents will take place as the scheme progresses.”
Andrew Bowen, who bought a house on the street in 2018, described the road as “diabolical.”
In his report to Cllr Owen, Paul Wheeldon, group leader, highway development control, said: “There has been a significant amount of correspondence from Local Members, Senedd Members and residents of Brook Street over many years about the deteriorating condition of Brook Street. The street is in need of significant remedial work that will bring the most benefit to residents and allotment users.”