Carmarthenshire community groups to get up to £3,000 to enhance local green spaces

Carmarthenshire Council say the funding is available to projects located in the county’s principal centres of Carmarthen, Llanelli and Ammanford, as well as and the “Ten Towns” of Cross Hands, Cwmaman, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llanybydder, Newcastle Emlyn, St. Clears, and Whitland.

Gwyrddu Sir Gâr is committing £39,000 to support community-led greening initiatives, made possible through funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund with additional support from Carmarthenshire County Council. This scheme is designed to support local communities in developing greener, more resilient, and accessible outdoor spaces that benefit people, place, and nature.

Cllr Carys Jones, Carmarthenshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Planning and Community Cohesion, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local groups to take the lead in improving their outdoor spaces and strengthening community connections. By investing in our natural environment, we are enhancing biodiversity, tackling climate challenges, and creating healthier, more vibrant places for people to enjoy. I encourage all eligible groups within the target areas to apply and be part of this positive change for Carmarthenshire”.

Applications are open until Friday 6th June 2025.

#Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CrossHands #Cwmamman #Environment #grantFunding #GreenSpaces #Kidwelly #Laugharne #Llandeilo #Llandovery #Llanybydder #NewcastleEmlyn #StClears #Whitland

Cross Hands business to give old tyres a new life

Tuf Treads will save old tyres from landfill by using them to produce premium re-treaded tyres using latest manufacturing technology. Re-treading gives suitable tyres a new start once the original tread is worn away.

Based at Cross Hands Strategic Employment Site, the new factory will see 30 new jobs created.

It is backed by £400k from the Economy Futures Fund and £220k Circular Economy Funding from the Welsh Government.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “This new facility will fill a gap in the market for the successful Tuf Treads – saving up to 30kg of rubber, 20kg of steel and 60kg of CO2 from landfill each time a truck or bus tyre is re-treaded.

“The innovative and sustainable nature of this service is exactly the sort of business practice we want to support as we nurture a greener economy based around the industries of the future.

“It will also create good quality jobs, helping to drive prosperity and equip people with the right skills for our changing world.”

Tuf Treads Director Dan Rees said: “As a proud Welsh company, Tuf Treads is delighted to have been able to grow its business over recent years. We are grateful for Welsh Government’s contribution to our £3m plus investment in our new factory in Cross Hands.

“We will be the leading manufacturers of first-class, retreaded tyres in Wales. However, for us, this isn’t just about developing the business. Importantly it is also about creating new, skilled jobs within the local community and helping to grow the Welsh economy.

“Equally significant is the way in which our new initiative helps Wales fulfil its net zero commitments by producing high quality tyres from recycled, used tyres that otherwise would be in landfill.

“As a local Pontyberem man, I’m committed to doing all I can to help our communities here and across Wales flourish and thrive.” 

#Business #Carmarthenshire #CrossHands #Environment #RebeccaEvansMS #Recycling #tyres #WelshGovernment

Housebuilder donates £2,000 to Carmarthenshire autism charity

Persimmon Homes West Wales presented the cheque to Carmarthen & Cross Hands Autistic Mams Association (CCAMA) at a coffee morning as part of its Community Champions programme, alongside Cllr Emlyn Schiavone who helps run the charity.

CCAMA is a community support and friendship group for parents and carers of young people with autism or are believed to be on the spectrum. There are other such associations in other towns, including nearby Llanelli.

A meeting with two parents in Carmarthen highlighted the need to develop provision to the west of the county, to serve families in Carmarthen, Cross Hands, Ammanford, Whitland, Llandeilo, Llandovery, and Newcastle Emlyn. Consequently, an application was made to the Shared Prosperity Fund with the County Council.

This enabled activities to be arranged for families in a stimulating and enjoyable environment, ranging from soft play, swimming sessions, music therapy and visits to local areas of interest such as the Botanic Gardens.  The funding was time limited and other sources need to be identified to sustain the progress that has been achieved.

In Carmarthenshire, Persimmon has sites in Carmarthen and Cross Hands, as well as Pembrey.

Persimmon donates £48,000 each year to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year as part of its Community Champions scheme. Recent local recipients include Wales YFC Eisteddfod, Carmarthen Wanderers Cricket Club, and Scarlets Women’s Rugby.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales Sales Director Sharon Bouhali, said: “Once we heard about the Mams group, we knew instantly that this was a deserving recipient of our Community Champions donation and thank Cllr Schiavone for bringing them to our attention.

“With sites in Carmarthen and Cross Hands, this group will be an invaluable resource for some of the families that end up occupying those homes, and we wanted to help out an organisation that could be such a huge help to them.

Cllr Emlyn Schiavone – councillor for Carmarthen Town West – commented: “On behalf of the large number of families that are benefiting from CCAMA, I would like to express my thanks to Persimmon for the funding to enable this important initiative to continue and flourish.

“Twelve months ago, I met two parents to explore how we could develop a new project to the west of the county. We are presently up to 473 members, and the shared experiences of so many families involved with positive and inclusive activities have been rewarding and fulfilling.”     

#Autism #Carmarthen #Carmarthenshire #Charity #CrossHands #PersimmonHomes

Calls for safety improvements on A48 at Cross Hands as yet another crash closes major road for ‘extended period’

The vehicles involved in the collision are believed to be a black BMW and a white Toyota Prius.

Four people were taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

The stretch is likely to remain closed for the rest of the morning, Traffic Wales has confirmed.

The service said this is to carry out investigation work with the road so far closed for more than six hours.

The road has long been known as a collision hotspot and new figures have revealed that things are getting worse rather than better.

Data released by Dyfed-Powys Police via a freedom of information request shows there were 169 crashes on the road in the space of just one year between the start of October 2023 and the end of September 2024.

According to traffic service Inrix, the incident today affects the road from Cross Gates roundabout to Heol Parc Mawr. It states that the road is currently shut for investigation work.

The westbound carriageway is closed from M4 (Pont Abraham Roundabout, Llanedi ) to A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout, Cross Hands).

The eastbound carriageway is closed from A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout) to Heol Parc Mawr.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police said the route will be closed and advised motorists to avoid the area. A spokesman said:

“We are in attendance at a road traffic collision that occurred around 4.20am this morning.

“An 18-year-old man, who was taken to hospital, has since been discharged. He currently remains in police custody having been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving whilst impaired.

“The driver of the BMW had failed to stop for police prior to the collision. The independent Office for Police has been notified and a formal referral process has been initiated.

“The road will be closed for an extended period due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.

“We would like to thank the public for their patience while investigations continue.”

The incident follows calls for safety to be improved on the stretch between Carmarthen and Pont Abraham, which on average sees a crash almost once every two days.

In July a 75-year-old woman was killed in a crash between Cross Hands and Llanddarog while in November three people were killed in crashes between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham.

A crash on November 5 on the eastbound side of the A48 near Cwmgwili claimed the life of 90-year-old John Howell Price. Due to the same collision Emily Thornton-Sandy, aged 30, was taken to a Cardiff hospital with serious injuries but died six days later on November 11.

Whilst on November 15 Ian Michael Owen, aged, 55, was killed following a collision on the eastbound stretch between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

In December MS Adam Price who represents the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency in the area of Carmarthenshire where the A48 dual carriageway is located called on the Welsh Government to do more to improve safety on the road.

“I was deeply concerned to learn that there had been further fatal incidents on the A48 [in November] and my thoughts go out to all those involved.

“These statistics indicate that there is a serious safety issue along this stretch of road.”

[Lead image: Traffic Wales South via Facebook]

#A48 #collision #CrossHands #DyfedPowysPolice #PontAbraham #TrafficWales

Tributes made to ‘much-loved’ father killed in crash on A48

Mr. Owen, was killed in a collision on the A48 between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili on Friday, November 25.

The road was closed for almost 20 hours after the crash which involved one vehicle, a a grey Isuzu D-Max. Both the eastbound and westbound roads were closed completely while emergency services were at scene.

In a statement issued through police, Mr Owen’s family paid tribute to them.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 

“Ian was a dearly loved son to Brenda and Phil, brother to Lyndon and sister Beverley.

“He was a much-loved father to Dafydd, step-father to Michael, nephew to Barbara and niece to Leah. He was a devoted and loving partner to Lizzy for the past decade.

“Tragically taken away from us and will be solely missed by all who knew him. He was a hard-working electrical fitter for over 30 years and well respected by his colleagues.

“He was the epitome of the ultimate country man, always happiest when on his mountain and being outdoors, he was a keen motorcyclist and loved training his working dogs which was a true passion of his.

“He will always be known affectionally for being a friend to anyone who knew him, and his passing leaves a void for all who loved him.”

[Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police]

#A48 #Carmarthenshire #collision #CrossHands #Cwmgwili #DyfedPowys

Emotional tribute from family of Carmarthenshire crash victim

Emily aged 30, of Pontarddulais, died following a crash on the major road between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham that occurred on Tuesday, 5 November 2024.

Dyfed-Powys Police said whilst driving home after a vet appointment, Emily’s vehicle was involved in a collision. Her dog, Scout, passed away shortly after.

Emily was rushed to the University Hospital of Wales following the incident, but her condition worsened, and she passed away on Monday 11 November with her husband at her side.

Emily’s husband spoke of his grief in a statement:

“This still feels unreal and none of us can take it in.

“Emily was kind, compassionate, and had so much more to give. She used her intelligence in her work as a solicitor, where she strove to help others affected by industrial disease.

“Emily loved literature and was passionate about her house plants. Her passing has left a hole in our lives which can never be filled. I wake up every morning in disbelief at the fact that I will never see her smile again.

“Emily deserved a long and happy life, and the thought of what happened to her that day brings the greatest pain to all those who love her.

“Scout was the most gentle, affectionate dog you could ever meet, and I have not been able to grieve for her death as I should. She brought great happiness to both me and Emily and the world has lost so much joy.

“I wish to thank all emergency services staff and persons at the scene for all the help they provided to Emily and Scout, and to the staff at University Hospital of Wales for doing everything they could for Emily in the days following the collision”.

Emily’s parents have also expressed their loss in a statement:

“The loss of Emily, our only child, is devastating. She meant the absolute world to us, and our lives have been changed forever. Not only have we lost our baby girl, but we mourn the loss of the grandchildren that we will never have.

“Emily has always been our pride and joy and she achieved so much during her short life. She was an intelligent, kind and caring soul and she touched the lives of so many people both in life and in death. She will never be forgotten.”

[Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police]

#Carmarthenshire #collision #CrossHands #DyfedPowysPolice #featured #Pontarddulais

Emergency services were called to a four-vehicle crash on the eastbound carriageway of the A48 between Cross Hands and Pont Abraham at around 11.55am on Tuesday, November 5.

The road was closed in both directions for several hours as emergency services attended the scene. The eastbound carriageway reopened at 9.40pm, whilst the westbound carriageway reopened at 10.10pm.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed that a male driver of one of the vehicles died at the scene. His family have been informed, and are being supported by officers.

A female driver of one of the other vehicles was taken to hospital, where she remains in a serious but stable condition.

Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for anyone who witnessed the crash, or who was travelling in the area at the time, to come forward.

In particular, officers would like to speak to anyone who has dashcam footage from the area at that time.

A spokesman for the force said:

“Police were called to a report of a road traffic collision which occurred at about 11.55am, Tuesday, November 5 where four vehicles were involved in the collision on the A48 eastbound between Crosshands and Pont Abraham, Carmarthenshire.

“Both eastbound and westbound carriageways were closed while emergency services were at scene. The eastbound carriageway reopened at 9.40pm and the westbound carriageway reopened at 10.10pm.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, or anyone who travelled along the A48 both westbound and eastbound at the relevant time and may have dashcams fitted on their vehicle, is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.”

Witnesses can contact Dyfed-Powys Police by calling 101, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, online via https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, or by direct message on social media.

Anyone who is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

When reporting information relating to this incident, quote reference number 139 of Tuesday, November 5.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/06/carmarthenshire-crash-on-busy-road-leaves-man-dead-as-woman-hospitalised/

#A48 #collision #CrossHands #fatality #PontAbraham

Please enjoy this real-time, 6 hour 40 minute #bus journey from #Cardiff to #Bangor with stops at #Sarn, #Pen-y-bont, #PortTalbot #CrossHands, #Caerfyrddin, #Aberaeron, #Aberystwyth, #Machynlleth, #Dolgellau, #Porthmadog and #Caernarfon.

Gwyliwch ein taith #bws epig ar draws y wlad i ddathlu 40 mlynedd ers cychwyn y TrawsCambria, y gwasanaeth bws cenedlaethol.

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