Euro cash is town's best hope for new relief road
AMMANFORD has just one chance of getting a bypass when European funding is handed out over the next decade.
It is hoped a relief road will help cut congestion in the town centre.
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Meanwhile, plans are moving forward for a bypass of Llandeilo, with contractors due to be signed up by 2014.
Welsh transport officials came down to Llandeilo on Friday to update local councillors.
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The private meeting had been organised by AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas and MP Jonathan Edwards.
At the meeting was Ammanford town councillor Chris Jones, who said a town bypass was desperately needed.
"It's not going to be done on Welsh Government money — but European money is the best chance," he said afterwards.
"I think it's definitely something Ammanford needs.
"When I was out canvassing in the last election, traffic in the town centre was an issue everybody mentioned.
"We're looking at new houses so it's only going to get worse and worse."
He said the last round of European money, of what was know as Objective One, is due to be spent by 2021.
"We've got to build pressure now because that's the only way we're going to get this," Mr Jones added.
"I hope that the town council will be keen to push for this too."
Representing Llandeilo was town mayor Dawn Wallace, fellow town councillor Richard Wallace and county councillor Edward Thomas.
Priority
Mr Thomas said: "They said the bypass for Llandeilo is still on the cards. They acknowledged the need is still there. It is a priority as we have high levels of pollution in Llandeilo."
He said the county council will be urged to look at traffic management before the bypass is built.
Mr Thomas added that there would be a full public inquiry after the final plans have been drawn up in 2014, where people will be able to put forward their views on the project.
Speaking about Llandeilo, Rhodri Glyn Thomas said: "I'm very grateful to the minister for accepting his Welsh government officials to meet with local community representatives.
"It was a highly positive meeting which provided an opportunity for local councillors to share their comments on the two proposed infrastructure schemes and for us to learn of the Welsh government's intentions in the area. I have been involved in discussions regarding the Llandeilo bypass for around 20 years. Others at the meeting have been discussing it for almost forty years.
"I'm sure I speak for all of those present at today's meeting when I say we can be confident this meeting will have been the kick start to seeing real progress being made."
On Ammanford, Mr Edwards added: "The extremely informative meeting demonstrated that the onus for the delivery of this project rests squarely with Carmarthenshire Council.
"This project should be delivered via the Integrated Transport Consortium for which the local authority must make a strong case."
He said he would be writing to the head of transport at the county council to discuss the scheme.
The Welsh Government officials declined to comment on either project.
graeme.wilkinson@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by Neathboy234
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:25AM
“Stork we're not leaving the EU anytime soon, just forget about the fantasies of some of our right wing press. By 2015 we will have a Labour government again, and the way the Tories are heading they will self implode shortly after. Labour will never offer a referendum, and nor will the LD. As for UKIP well they are a total irrelevance, last time i looked they were on 3%.”
by Stork
Thursday, September 06 2012, 10:13AM
“hacker_jack
If the UK left the EU, not only could Ammanford have a new bypass, and a Marina. But there would be enough money to bring the sea in even further, say, up to Llandeilo !
We are being fleeced by the EU. How about a sweepstake on which year their accounts will be audited as FRAUD FREE ?”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 2:04PM
“Stork Do your really think Ammanford and the rest of wales would have any extra funding from London if we were not in the EU, how childlike to think such a thing. It took almost 2 years before westminter begrudgingly agreed to electrify the rail-line from Cardiff to Swansea. The billions we have received from the EU would have all be redirected to the South East Of England, the only place that matters to those who govern in London”
by hacker_jack
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 1:46PM
“Ammanford with a Marina would definitely be impressive.
Nice to see your geography knowledge is on a par with your economics Stork.”
by Stork
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 11:44AM
“If the UK wasn't in the EU, then Ammanford would already HAVE a bypass ! We squander £billions in donations to the EU, and the UK receives "crumbs from the table" in any financial returns. Today, we will give the EU nett, about £30 million. Tomorrow, we'll give them another £30 million, and the day after, guess what, another £30 million, and so on.
Come to think of it, if we were not in the EU. Ammanford would probably have its own version of the M25 now, plus a Marina !”
by Neathboy234
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 7:56AM
“The EU has done so much to help us here in Wales, a the poorest part of Europe we have benefited greatly from this aid. I can't imagine Westminster giving us all these billions extra can u!!”