Ammanford on Track

Ammanford residents and traders have had the chance to see plans for revitalising the centre of the town.

Quay Street will be the subject of a major revamp over the next six months which council chiefs believe will help to draw more shoppers into the town.

The recent Ammanford on Track public exhibition in the Pensioners Hall in Quay Street, Ammanford, showcased the regeneration works proposed for Quay Street.

The exhibition was well attended, with a wide range of people commenting on the scheme.

The project – part of the local authority’s ambitious Ammanford Regeneration programme – is designed to make the street feel more modern with paviours and street lighting being replaced, together with new seating and additional CCTV.

Staff from Carmarthenshire County Council and Alun Griffiths Contractors were on hand to answer any questions. Traders who attended were shown how the scheme will be phased and were informed of the length of time their properties might be affected.

John Winney, project manager for Alun Griffiths, confirmed that access into all premises would be kept open throughout the working day with any work to shop/property thresholds taking place in the early morning, before shops opened.

Members of the public were assured that the de-cluttering and modernising of the street scene would benefit Ammanford in the long term, with more seating, some trees and a prettier streetscape encouraging more shoppers into town.

Town Centre Manager Andrew Shufflebotham said: “In general the comments were of a positive nature.”

One of the people responding said: “I think it will be very nice especially in spring and summer time and having CCTV will help to control vandalism.”

Others said that it would be good provided litter and gum was controlled and that it should be a vehicle free area.

In addition to the improvements in Quay Street, the council is also offering funding through its Town Improvement Grant Scheme. The grants allow shop keepers and landlords to access up to 75 per cent of total project costs to fund shop front improvements up to a maximum grant of £25,000. Retailers and landlords are encouraged to contact Sam Palmer on 01269 590277 for details of the scheme and help with completing the necessary documentation.