The first phase of a major buildings maintenance investment programme at Rhondda Heritage Park in Wales has been completed with an overhaul of the iconic pithead wheels.

The imposing pitheads above the former Bertie and Trefor shafts have undergone a nine-month total refurbishment with blasting of the rust, remedial works and re-painting.

Following £340,000 of funding by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, work on the 128-year-old pithead gear has now been completed as part of a wider investment programme earmarked for the award-winning Heritage Park.

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Last year shock-blasting work began on the Trefor pithead by Barry-based firm Wardles who specialise in the remedial work of large-scale projects from bridges to oil tankers. Using a specialist method of firing abrasive pellets at high velocity they remove the rust from the metal work and then begin the process of repair and re-painting.

The total amount of funding invested in the Rhondda Heritage Park over a five-year period will be in the region of £750,000 and further maintenance and improvements have continued to take place to the Grade II Listed buildings.

(CD/JM)