A small series of caches have been placed to celebrate the opening of “Harbour Way”, a very welcome by-pass built to ease congestion through Margam and Port Talbot, which was officially opened by the First Minister of Wales on 18th October 2013. The official website provides a wealth of interesting information and photographs throughout the period of the build. BBC Wales covered the official opening of the road. See first cache in the series for additional photographs. (#1 Harbour Way - Serious Stuff!!).
The three-mile (4.8 km) duel-carriageway runs from M4 junction 38 to junction 41. Access is provided to the huge steel works and Port Talbot docks. The massive project, including demolition of a bridge, took three years to complete and cost £107m, much of which was provided by the European Regional Development Fund and included funds provided by the Welsh Government for re-development of Port Talbot Parkway station. The road is one of the largest local council transport projects backed by the Welsh Government and European Fund.
Plans are in place for further development of the wider Harbourside Park area as the 150 acre site has the capacity to accommodate an additional 75,000 sq ft of industrial/commercial space, which could lead to potential investment of more than £12m and creation of a further 700 new jobs. Proposals are also in the pipeline for a future residential and leisure development, sited next to the dockside and river corridor.
Caches are located where safe short-term off-road parking is available along the busy new road, however please take great care especially if accompanied by children and/or pets. After turning off Harbour Way follow field access track to the gate and admire the deep sump drainage, then turn round and head towards the corner. Do not enter the private land.
