A £500,000 project aims to restore the area in and around a river which runs through Merthyr Tydfil .
The Taf Bargoed Catchment Restoration Project includes work which should improve natural habitats such as fencing, tree planting, restoring river banks, and protecting against erosion.
The hope is that it will benefit farms, rural businesses, and rural communities as well as reducing the amount of silt being brought down from the tributaries into the Taf Bargoed Lakes.
If approved by Merthyr Tydfil Council’s cabinet the council would accept a grant of £417,000 from Welsh Government for the sustainable management scheme in the Taf Bargoed River Catchment in the south of the county borough.
The fencing, tree planting, and natural regeneration schemes will look to restore river banks, protect against river bank erosion, and reconnect habitats within the area.
The council is set to work alongside Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), South Wales Rivers Trust as well as others on the project.
The £417,000 is 82% of the total project cost of more than £507,000 with the council contributing more than £60,000 and NRW more than £30,000.
There will also be someone appointed on a three-year fixed-term post to implement and manage the project.
The Taf Bargoed river catchment area has changed significantly due to rapid industrialisation and human intervention.
The Taf Bargoed river catchment is currently experiencing a number of issues including:
- Spoil heaps adding sedimentation into the river
- Erosion and instability of the river banks
- Leaching of the soil and mineral left over from the mining activities
causing pollution - Ecosystem and habitats becoming disconnected
- The siltation of Parc Taf Bargoed lake which could lead to the loss of the community and visitor facilities and potentially compromise the structure of the lake
- A lack of community engagement with the river leading to apathy and
antisocial behavioural issues such as fly-tipping
The scheme will also involve the local community to see what their needs and views on the project as well as providing volunteering opportunities through river restoration activities.
The project will also encourage walks of the catchment area to re-connect people with the river and park, its social history and provide health and well-being benefits.
