Dare Valley improvements underway
January 21, 2009
Work is forging ahead on the £1million improvement programme at Dare Valley Country Park, Aberdare.
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 Country Park is developed as a tourism gateway. Caravan provision is being expanded to 35 pitches and, at the camping area, for up to 60 pitches.
Funding for the scheme was secured by Rhondda Cynon Taf Tourism team and Council partners from the Heads of the Valleys Programme. Due to the extent of the redevelopment works, the park’s visitor centre will be closed until Spring this year.
However, a temporary portacabin has been opened, selling snacks and tea and coffee for visitors, with the Country Park itself open seven days a week until the works are finished. There are also toilet facilities available during opening hours.
Dare Valley Country Park was Britain’s first country park to be developed on former industrialised land. It is spread over 500 acres of countryside, just a mile from Aberdare town centre.
During the improvement works, which are being undertaken 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.
In addition:
· 470m of drainage ditches are being formed and 180m of drainage pipes laid to drain the plateaux
· 2660m2 of bridlepaths 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
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