Rhondda Tunnel Society

[Rhobat Bryn]

There is a report on Wales Online that plans are being drawn up to reopen the Rhondda & Swansea Bay Tunnel between Blaenrhondda and Blaengwynfi as a cycling and pedestrian route.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... ng-8381309

[Rhobat Bryn]

It's all a question of resources of course but if we have the technology to build a 50 km tunnel under the English Channel then I'm pretty sure that we can rebuild a 3km tunnel under Mynydd Blaenrhondda without the problems of water leakage that bedevilled the tunnel when previously in use.

[Rhobat Bryn]

Last night I went to the Tunnel Hotel in Blaengwynfi to attend a meeting of the above society. There is a branch of the society which already meets in Blaencwm so the purpose of the meeting last night was to establish a group on the Blaengwynfi side of the tunnel. It was standing room only in the pub and after talks from the Society and the former Valleys Regional Park, six people put their names forward for an interim Blaengwynfi committee. It is estimated that the final cost of the project will be between £10-15 million. The Society currently has about £2,500 in their account.

The first aim is to clear away the earth from either side of the tunnel so that the portals are visible. It was felt that if the public could see the actual tunnel then both they and potential investors would be more likely to contribute financially. A website is due to be launched in the next few weeks so keep your eyes peeled for future developments.

[Rhobat Bryn]

Engineers are due to enter the Rhondda tunnel tomorrow to undertake a 3-day inspection to check for safety, sulphuric acid and CO2 levels.

The full story can be found here:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... el-9037870

[TheObserver]

Attached is a link to a similar story published this past week in the "The South Wales Evening Post" as seen from the western end of the tunnel.

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... story.html

Regards, John, TheObserver.

[Rhobat Bryn]

After a phone call made to the Chairman of the Rhondda Tunnel Society, it appears that an engineers' report on the outcome of the inspection will be published in the next two to three weeks.

[TheObserver]

Hi Readers,

Attached is a link to a further update, as seen from the western (Afan Valley) end of this project.

Curtesy: South Wales Evening Post:
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... story.html

[Rhobat Bryn]

It's just been announced that the Welsh Government is to fund a feasibility study for the reopening of the Rhondda Tunnel. This suggests that the initial findings from the inspection must be good. It's also complete coincidence that the announcement has been made 4 days before the General Election.

[TheObserver]

Attached below is a link to a further update in the saga of the possible re-opening of this tunnel as reported in the South Wales Evening Post in the edition of 15 July 2015 (page 26)

http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk ... story.html

The South Wales Evening Post is the daily newspaper serving Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot, Llanelli, Carmarthen and surrounding areas.