Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in South Wales has revived plans for the long-delayed Cynon Gateway North link road after a government roads freeze was lifted.

The council is now launching a £50m contractor engagement process ahead of a full tender next month.

The 1.2km highway will link the A4059 Aberdare Bypass east of Penywaun to the new Croesbychan roundabout on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road.

Once built, the route will relieve congestion through Llwydcoed and Penywaun, improve access to the upper Cynon Valley, and support local regeneration plans.

The Cynon Gateway North project was first developed more than a decade ago but was mothballed four years ago after the Welsh Government imposed a national roads review and spending freeze on new highway schemes.

The £50m route was one of several halted amid concerns about environmental impact, carbon emissions and alignment with the country’s new transport priorities.

Recent policy shifts under the Welsh roads review have allowed “regionally important” projects such as Cynon Gateway to proceed — provided they meet new low-carbon transport criteria.

An engagement event will be held on 17 October at the Valleys Innovation Centre in Abercynon to brief potential bidders on the project scope, procurement strategy and delivery timetable.

Contractors must register via eTenderWales by 12 noon on 15 October.

The council aims to invite tenders on 3 November, with construction due to start in May 2026 and run for three years.