How can we make the longest walking /cycling tunnel in Europe benefit the wider communities of Wales? 1

the greater the deprivation. Overall Deprivation 2014 The darker the blue, the greater the deprivation. 2

The tunnel is in the middle of an area of high multiple deprivation Overall Deprivation in South Wales The tunnel is in the middle of an area of high multiple deprivation 3

The lighter the blue, the better the physical environment 4

National Cycle Network in Southern Britain Where are the most traffic-free (green) Routes? 5

Abandoned Tunnels in South Wales Abandoned Railway Tunnels Merthyr Merthyr Rhondda Cwmbran Swansea Caerau Port Talbot Pontypridd Newport Bridgend Cardiff Abandoned Tunnels in South Wales Abandoned Railway Tunnels 6

National Cycle Routes in South Wales Circular Routes? Merthyr Cwmbran Swansea Port Talbot Pontypridd Newport Bridgend Cardiff Off-Road Quiet Road Proposed National Cycle Routes in South Wales Circular Routes? 7 Many possibilities centred on Bridgend

Bridgend can become a centre for cycle tourism: Currently it has the nearest hotel to the Rhondda Tunnel. The proposed National Cycle Networks need to be developed, especially NCN 885 down the Llynfi Valley from Maesteg to Bridgend Active Travel Funding should be available for many of the developments. 8

A management company will be able to promote special attractions Tunnel Events - Runs are likely to attract over 1000 runners, based on experience at Bath. 9

46km Railway Path with one tunnel Dublin Waterford Rosslare Dungarvan Waterford Greenway 46km Railway Path with one tunnel 10

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One-Way Cycle Hire Shuttle to return bikes… & riders to the start point 12

Why not hire a bike in Treherbert, ride to Port Talbot via Aberavon Beach then return by shuttle bus? Port Talbot “Little Switzerland in Wales” - Richard Burton 13

Caerau Tunnel? 14 Treorchy Cycle Shuttle Bus Port Talbot Or: Come by car or train to Sarn or Bridgend; Shuttle Bus to Treorchy with bikes; Cycle through tunnel to return. Sarn Caerau Tunnel? Bridgend 14

Or cycle one-way & train the other way? Merthyr Cwmbran Swansea Port Talbot Pontypridd Newport Bridgend Cardiff Railways Or cycle one-way & train the other way? 15

Set up a network of bike hire docking stations at train Stations Merthyr Cwmbran Swansea Port Talbot Pontypridd Newport Bridgend Cardiff Railways Set up a network of bike hire docking stations at train Stations 16

How can we make the longest walking /cycling tunnel in Europe benefit the wider communities of Wales? The tunnels will become the centre-pieces of the South Wales Cycle Network: Currently a big resource with unfulfilled potential Develop circular routes based on the tunnels Commercial management will enable the Rhondda Tunnel to promote major sporting events and visitor attractions One-way bike hire with shuttle bus return, particularly in the & Llynfi Afan Valleys Or use the rail network for the return journey Improve Sunday rail services Set up a network of bike docking stations, as in Cardiff, at Valley Line railway stations 17

Our Vision 18