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

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

3. 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

4. The lighter the blue, the better the physical environment4

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 11

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Our Vision 18