In 2002 a Noise Study was carried out on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government for the whole of the trunk road network identifying sites where there was a potential noise nuisance being caused by the close proximity of the trunk road to the residential property. This was a desk top study carried and a number of sites were identified and these were then prioritized into four categories. Schemes were identified that would benefit from use of a different type of road surface and those that would benefit from physical noise reducing barriers. The A470 Nantgarw to Upper Boat site was identified within the report as a scheme that would benefit from the use of noise reducing barriers.

Since the production of the report there have been numerous schemes constructed and in the financial year of 2006/2007 the scheme was designed and constructed at the A470 at Nantgarw to Upper Boat site. To allow for the construction of the noise barriers changes to the road restraint system was required along with the modifications to the lighting columns in the area.

The South Wales Trunk Road Agency’s Framework Contractor, Cemex undertook the construction of the scheme and works commenced in February 2007. The works were completed in July 2007.

The aim of the project is to reduce the noise level experienced by the local residents that is produced by the A470 to a lower and more acceptable noise level. For this site the use of timber absorbent noise barriers were used. It is anticipated that the benefits to the local residents will be a reduced level of traffic noise produced by the A470 experienced at their properties.