19/1/2009

Work is forging ahead on a £1million facelift of Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare, Britain's first country park to be developed on former industrialised land.

The park is spread over 500 acres of countryside, just a mile from Aberdare town centre.

A new glazed reception/tourist information area is being created, the cafe and kitchen area updated and public conveniences and access to facilities improved, as the park is developed as a tourism gateway.

During the works, by contractors Walters (UK) Ltd, 16,500 tonnes of topsoil and boulder clay is being moved to create the new camp site and caravan site extension, and 26 extra electric hook-up points and five more water bollards are being installed.

470m of drainage ditches are being formed and 180m of drainage pipes laid to drain the plateaux

2660m of bridle paths and access track are being laid in stone dust on a roadstone base

1,050m of timber fencing is being erected

1.6 hectares of land grass is being seeded

600m of double row hedgerows are being planted

Caravan provision is being expanded to 35 pitches and, at the camping area, for up to 60 pitches.

Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said: "The work which began in November is on target and we are looking forward to
welcoming the public to a much-improved facility this Spring.

“Dare Valley is one of Rhondda Cynon Taf's foremost tourist and leisure attractions and these improvements can only increase its popularity."