Client: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Planning Solutions Consulting was commissioned to work closely with the Council to prepare a business case to assess the viability of reopening the Rhondda Tunnel, a former railway tunnel, as a flagship visitor attraction. The railway tunnel would link Blaencwm and Blaengwynfi and at just under 2 miles in length would create Europe’s longest tunnel for cycling. The tunnel would also provide a link to the National Cycle Network (NCN 885/887 in the west and to NCN 881 in the east).
Our work focussed on:
- A site assessment from an operational and visitor experience perspective. Carrying out a review of the strategic context at a local, regional national level to ensure that the project would deliver key outcomes of strategic policies
- Consultation with a range of Council Officers and stakeholders to identify their views, concerns, redlines and aspirations
- A number of case examples were reviewed to highlight a range of key lessons which helped to shape the different development options associated with reopening the Rhondda Tunnel
- A market analysis was carried out. This reviewed the residential market place by analysing drivetime catchments, the tourism market place and also the activity tourism sector
- An options appraisal identified a number of development options for the visitor experience, based on different forms and scale. A scoring matrix was used to evaluate the options identified
- Drivers of visitor numbers were identified and a penetration analysis was carried out to forecast future visitor numbers from key market segments.
- A financial model was developed
- Economic and wider benefits were identified
- A review of delivery and funding options
How can we help?
If you have any questions about preparing a business plan or income generation strategy for a visitor attraction or heritage experience or would like to discuss our work please don’t hesitate to call Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or email richard@pslplan.co.uk