Improvements Unveiled at Laugharne Weekend

The work done as part of the Laugharne Environmental Enhancement scheme will officially open this Friday at the Town Hall.

Following a Carmarthenshire County Council commissioned consultation held in 2010, Streetscape improvements focussing on the Grist and Market Street area were developed by the Physical Regeneration department and began in November 2013.

The two sites were selected as Market Street provides access to the Castle’s main gate and is a key route towards the Dylan Thomas Boathouse and other attractions along the coast. The Town Hall building is itself an attractive historic feature and, as the meeting place of the ancient Laugharne Corporation, a landmark within the town. The enhancement included the resurfacing and widening of pedestrian areas and the provision of new street furniture and tree planting in an appropriate style.

The Grist, near to the castle and the estuary, was dominated by cars and its public area comprised poor quality, inconsistent materials and street clutter. The enhancement project sought to rationalise the space to create a more attractive, easier to use and safer pedestrian environment whilst still enabling vehicular circulation and parking.

Executive board member for Regeneration and Leisure Councillor Meryl Gravell said: “Funding from the Council and RDP Sir Gâr’s Strengthening the Tourism Appeal of Rural Carmarthenshire (STARC)* enabled the £320,000 project to go ahead and now the improvements have been finished in time for the popular Laugharne Weekend and increased tourism to the area due to the Dylan Thomas 100 anniversary.”

The Physical Regeneration department were also successful in securing a further £90,000 from RDP Sir Gâr towards a £112,500 Laugharne Township Commercial Property Enhancement Grant Scheme that accompanied the Streetscape enhancement. The aim was to provide support to improve the frontages of commercial premises and those to benefit included Castle View chip shop, Choices gift shop and the soon to open delicatessen at Exeter House.

Friday 4th April, 1.30 – 4pm Following the official opening, there will be a public exhibition of work carried out through the Rural Development Plan funding in the area at the Town Hall.

*STARC was funded through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.