The procurement contact named on the official notice.

RCT Council are currently preparing a tender to procure a suitably qualified contractor to lead the design and construction of a new road/highways scheme circa GBP50m .

SCHEME BACKGROUND The Cynon Gateway is a 1.2km proposed link road to connect the A4059 Aberdare Bypass, east of Penywaun to a new roundabout at Croesbychan (constructed as part of the A465 heads of valleys scheme).

The proposed scheme is located approximately 2.6 km north west of Aberdare, and lies between the communities of Llwydcoed to the east and Penywaun to the west.

Areas of land are under the ownership of RCTCBC however the majority of the land the proposed route crosses is under the ownership of various private land owners. .

The proposed scheme proceeds through agricultural land and a mixture of habitats, including the Tir Mawr A Dderi Hir, Llwydcoed SSSI and woodland.

The scheme also crosses a mineral railway that is currently disused (Transport for Wales are looking to renew in future), and to the west of the proposed link lies the existing dismantled railway, with the remains of scheduled ancient monument ‘Gamlyn viaduct’. .

The scheme also bisects the Afon Cynon (midway along the route) and Nant Hir (in the northern part of the route).

An unnamed road leading to Gamlyn Isaf Cottage crosses the southern part of the proposed scheme.

The proposed route lies adjacent to the residential village of Llwydcoed circa 500m to the east; the residential village of Penywaun circa 150m to the west and residential properties towards the north of Aberdare circa 600m to the south.

There are also several properties located adjacent to the proposed route in Croesbychan and scattered farms in adjacent fields. .

RCT COUNCIL ARE SEEKING TO ASCERTAIN VIEWS FROM CONTRACTORS ON THE FOLLOWING: Contract preference .

NEC Option A Priced Activity schedule or Option C Target Cost 2 stage contract with x22 clause. .

Views on opportunities for innovation relating to the current specimen design with the objective of reducing cost, environmental impact and carbon footprint .

Views on deliverability related to cost and programme constraints Cost circa GBP50m .

Programme: Commencement of detailed design programme Autumn 2025 Commencement of works/advanced works programme Summer 2026 Conclusion of Design and Build contract 2028-2029 / 2030 .

As part of this exercise RCT would also like to canvass views from the Contractors on any processes/mechanisms they believe would assist in mitigating risks given the known constraints. .

QUESTIONS WILL BE LOCATED ON ETENDERWALES via the following link: https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/go/330015490194B826E32B or by searching for ITT reference 115431.

To assist in answering the questions, contractors are encouraged to view all documents and technical drawings/information submitted as part of the successful application for conditional planning for the scheme.

The information can be accessed and downloaded via the RCT planning portal at the following web address: https://planonline.rctcbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=ZZZTRDMYMS261 Furthermore the planning decision report can be view here: https://rctcbc.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=166&MId=50003766&LLL=0