£27 Million for transport schemes to support the economy…

Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, has announced nearly £27 million for transport schemes across Wales to support economic growth, improve safety and promote walking and cycling.

The Minister announced the funding during a visit to the construction site for phase two of the Cross Hands Link Road, in Carmarthenshire, which has received a £450,000 grant. The road will open up the Cross Hands East strategic employment site, with the potential to create up to 1,500 new jobs. It will also provide access to a housing and mixed use development at Emlyn Brickworks and improve journey times along the M4/A48/A40 corridor by alleviating pressure on the Cross Hands roundabout.

Mrs Hart said: “This new road is vital to Carmarthenshire Council’s economic development plans and will be a spur to create hundreds of new jobs. It’s an excellent example of the type of schemes supported through the Local Transport Fund to drive our priorities for jobs and growth, by improving access to employment sites and Enterprise Zones. Nearly £16m has been awarded through that fund to more than 30 road, public transport and active travel projects across Wales.

“I am also very pleased to announce £11 million for more than 60 schemes to improve road safety and to encourage more people to walk and cycle in our communities.”

Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for technical services Cllr Colin Evans said: “The County Council is delighted that the Minister has supported investment into infrastructure that is essential to developing the economy in South West Wales. The continued development of infrastructure in the area will help speed up journey times on the critical A48 and East West link and the A476. It will also open up land for development and provide benefits for the wider City region. I am pleased that the Minister has supported our plans and look forward to working with the Wales Government on future developments in South West Wales.”

The grants have been awarded through three different schemes, from which local authorities can bid for money to support their projects.

The Local Transport Fund of £15.7 million will benefit 18 different local authorities, with grants awarded for 35 public transport, road and active travel projects.

£3.95 million in Road Safety Capital grants will fund 31 schemes to reduce road casualties in 14 local authorities.

The £5.05 million Safe Routes in Communities grant will support 33 schemes to improve walking and cycling routes to schools and other community facilities in 21 local authorities.

In addition, funding of nearly £2 million will be released for road safety education and training programmes for high risk and vulnerable groups, such as children, young people, older drivers and motorcyclists.

Projects that have been awarded funding are listed below.

Local Transport Fund

• £1.3m for the Carmarthen Western Link Road, linking the A40 at Travellers Rest with College Road. Providing direct access to the trunk network for St David’s Park and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus, relieving congestion and serving these employment and education sites.

• £450,000 for phase 2 of the Cross Hands Economic Link Road. Continuation of the road from the point at which it currently intersects with Black Lion Road northwards to join with the A476. A transformational scheme of regional importance in the Swansea Bay City Region Local Transport Plan, which could lead to 1,500 new jobs.

• £950,000 towards four walking and cycling schemes in the county, the Amman Valley Cycleway, Urban Connections, Towy Valley Transport Corridor and School Transport Routes.

Road Safety Capital grants

• £150,000 for safety improvements at the A485 Alltwalis – Llanybydder including reduced speed limits, warning signs and road markings.
• £145,000 for safety improvements at the A484 Kidwelly to Cwmffrwd including reduced speed limits, warning signs and surface improvements.
• £144,000 for safety improvements at the B4306 Hendy – Cwmffrwd Route Treatment including reduced speed limits, warning signs and surface improvements.

Road Safety Education and Training £138,000

Safe Routes in Communities

Glanymor, £165,875 to make improvements near Caedcae, Bigyn, Lakefield & Copperworks schools.