Due to increased public interest, plans for a proposed scheme of paths and routes for pedestrians and cyclists in Treforest are going on display for a second time.

The public exhibition launched by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and sustainable transport charity Sustrans will go on show at Taff Meadow Community Centre in Treforest on Wednesday May 12^th from 9.30am to 6pm.

The plans are for a scheme which will create new shared-use paths to improve travel on foot or by bike around Treforest with links to the town centre of Pontypridd as well as various educational establishments and other facilities in the area.

A Feasibility Study has been prepared which looked at the different options for the scheme, with different solutions to overcome severance caused by the railway line and river that run through Treforest.  Local people will be asked to give their views and suggestions on the plans so that the route can be finalised and made a reality.

This scheme is funded by Sustrans, using part of a £50m award from the Big Lottery Fund that was won via public vote in 2007, and by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Regional Transport Plan Grant.

It is also one of the new routes being developed as part of the £7.6m Valleys Cycle Network and will receive additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government.

Alongside the scheme exhibition, there will also be a chance for people to nominate local heroes to be immortalised in steel as part of a Portrait Bench – a new UK-wide art initiative from Sustrans.

The benches will appear on nearly 80 routes across the UK and include three life-size images of local heroes cut from Corten steel which are placed next to a bench on the route. Each route will  have its own local heroes for the Portrait Bench to reflect the area’s history and culture.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care at Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, said: “The scheme will be a huge boost to what is already a beautiful environment and for Pontypridd generally, by improving walking and cycling links within Treforest, between the University of Glamorgan’s campuses and surrounding residential, employment and shopping areas.

“I hope members of the public – whether residents of Treforest or regular visitors to Pontypridd and the surrounding area, take this ideal opportunity to visit the exhibition and through close consultation will help make this project a reality.”