Mountain Ash community asked to help name the Cross Valley Link
The Council has now begun a process in which members of the Mountain Ash community, including local schools and groups, are invited to submit their suggestions for the official name of the new Cross Valley Link Bridge.
The multi-million pound highways scheme is seeing a road bridge built from Cwm Cynon Industrial Estate to Miskin Road, providing a new link between the A4059 and B4275. The project is a long term aspiration for the Council and residents and will be completed in early summer 2020. It will improve traffic flow in Mountain Ash and on the A4059 route through the Cynon Valley.
While contractor Walters-Sisk continues to make excellent progress in constructing the new bridge, the Council is providing an opportunity for the local community to have their say on what they want the bridge to be called – in a process to give the 21st Century landmark a fitting name.
The structure will be at the heart of the community for generations to come, and the Council is asking residents to put forward suggestions which meets one of the following:
- recognises or references the history of the area;
- recognises individuals of significance, either historically or through their personal achievement, with local routes or connections to Mountain Ash or the lower Cynon Valley;
- recognises events of local and historical significance; or,
- reflects the wider landscape and culture of Mountain Ash.
The Council is inviting local schools in the Mountain Ash cluster and members of the community to submit suggestions to: https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/GetInvolved/Consultations/CrossValleyLinkNameSuggestion.aspx
Submissions must also be accompanied by a statement of up to 250 words, explaining why they feel their name should be chosen. All suggestions must be received by April 6, 2020 in order to be considered. Please note, any suggestions written on social media will not be considered.
A panel comprising Council representatives and local historians will then consider all of the suggestions – and draw up a shortlist of three names. These three names will be polled via public questionnaires and online. The most popular name will be unveiled during the official opening of the road.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “The Council wants the local community to be involved in developing the official name of the new Cross Valley Link Bridge, which will soon become an important landmark in Mountain Ash for many years to come.
“As a result, we are now inviting schools in the Mountain Ash cluster, community groups and local residents to submit their suggestions for its new name – and we are asking each entry to reflect the culture, history and values of the local area. A shortlist of three names will then be selected by a panel, with the community given a final opportunity to choose the name in a poll vote.
“This process is a great opportunity for local people to name their new bridge, which is owned by the community – and the winning school, group or individual will be invited to the official opening of the bridge, once completed. Those people or groups who would like to take part now have until April 6 to submit their suggestion.”
