Senedd Member Joel James MS has this week visited the Rhondda Tunnel Society alongside TV Presenter Martin Roberts to support their 'visit day', which aimed to showcase the benefits of reopening the Rhondda Tunnel.
Joel has spoken extensively about the Rhondda Tunnel in the Senedd Chamber and continues to advocate for the society, raising awareness of their challenges directly with the Welsh Government.
During the visit, Joel had the opportunity to enter the tunnel, take a guided tour, experience an underground light and sound show, and hear about the society's future plans. On the day, it was also announced that they are moving forward with plans to transfer ownership of the tunnel from the Department of Transport to Railway Paths Ltd. This step brings the goal of reopening the tunnel one step closer.
Speaking about the day, Joel said:
It was brilliant to join the Rhondda Tunnel Society and Martin Roberts last week to continue to raise awareness of their project to reopen the Rhondda tunnel, which connects Blaencwm in the Rhondda to Blaengwynfi in the Afan Valley.
Reopening this tunnel would create a two-mile-long route for walking and cycling, provide a significant boost to tourism in the Rhondda, and make it the longest tunnel in Europe and the second longest in the world.
After years of setbacks from the Welsh and UK Governments, they’re pushing ahead with plans to transfer ownership of the tunnel from the Department of Transport to Railway Paths Ltd, bringing the project to fruition.
This is something, as a member of the society myself, I wholeheartedly support and will continue to highlight with the Welsh Government and Council to ensure their support going forward.
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