Comment DBCC-7987

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a County Borough Councillor representing the ward of Llantwit Fardre on the Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC , I wish to make the following comments:

I feel there is a strong case for the constituency of Pontypridd to be merged with Cardiff West and not Merthyr Tydfil & Aberdare.

Large sections of Cardiff West were once in the Pontypridd Parliamentary Constituency, including the settlements of Pentyrch, Creigiau, Gwaelod Y Garth, Capel Llanilltern – all of which left the constituency following the Fifth Periodic Review in 2010. Recently, the town of Pontyclun, which includes Miskin and Groesfaen, had been added from the Pontypridd constituency to Cardiff West following the 2023 Periodic Review.. This has caused an electoral abnormally, as parts of the ‘Pontyclun West’ electoral ward still reside within the Pontypridd Constituency.

The joining of Pontypridd and Cardiff West is further supported due to strong community links, with the bulk of the Pontypridd constituency looking south towards Cardiff for work, retail and social activities. The settlements of Llanharan and Llanharry have particularly strong connections with Pontyclun, as does Talbot Green and Llantrisant. Settlements such as Llantwit Fardre, Efail Isaf, Church Village and Tonteg, have strong connections with Creigiau and Pentrych due to their close proximity. This is all supported by strong transport links, including rail and bus – which isn’t as strong for these residents going to Merthyr and Aberdare.

Turning to Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare, I am worried that the vast majority of residents who live within Pontypridd have no connection or affinity to this proposal and the constituency would be better suited being joined with Rhondda and Ogmore. They share strong cultural links due to their industrial history, but strong infrastructure and transport links. This is further highlighted by settlements such as Ynysybwl, Glyncoch and Cilfynydd being transferred out of the Cynon Valley and into Pontypridd at the last periodic review – all of whom firmly identified with Pontypridd and not with Aberdare and the Cynon Valley.

it should also be noted that one of the original proposals of the 2023 Periodic Review was to merge the Rhondda and Cynon Valley constituencies. Which again recognised the strong links that these two constituencies shared.

Instead of Cardiff South & Penarth being joined with Cardiff West, it would be joined with the Vale of Glamorgan constituency. This is not only supported by the fact that large sections of the constituency already share a local government boundary, but that settlements in Cardiff South & Penarth were recently in the Vale of Glamorgan constituency – eg Dinas Powys. Both the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff South & Penarth share strong community and transport links, with the bulk of the Vale looking towards Cardiff for social, retail and employment. Residents in Cardiff South & Penarth look towards the Vale for social and recreational activities.

Instead of Bridgend being joined with the Vale of Glamorgan, it would be joined with Aberavon Maesteg. This pairing makes sense due to the sharing of local government boundaries, residents in Aberavon and Maesteg look primarily towards Bridgend for social, retail and employment, and there are strong transport links between the two. Likewise, they have greater ‘shared history’ together when compared to that of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter, and I look forward to your response as soon as possible.


Cllr Karl R Johnson

RCTCBC Councillor
for Llantwit Fardre & Efail Isaf

[REDACTED]

Respondent type

Local councillor or other elected official

Organisation name

Pencoed Town Council

This comment refers to

The entire area under review.