A Bird’s Eye View Of The Tywi Valley Path

This is a bird’s eye view of the proposed multi-million-pound Tywi Valley Path. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The video – showing the route of the 16-mile shared use path between Carmarthen and Llandeilo – was created using 3D modelling software and Google Earth technology. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It was showcased at a consultation event for local businesses and members of the public at the Ivy Bush Hotel in Carmarthen. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The path will follow an almost adjacent route to that of the River Tywi, linking in with major tourist attractions through the stunning Tywi Valley countryside. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A number of local businesses attended the event including accommodation providers, food and drink provides and tourist attractions to find out how they could contribute to the project and benefit from the anticipated 15,000 visitors a year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

They were told the project was expected to generate between £860,000 and £2million a year in the local economy and create and support up to 41 full-time jobs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Director of Operations and Head Gardener at Aberglasney Gardens Joseph Atkin said: “The plans for the Tywi Valley Path look really exciting. It will pass very near to Aberglasney and therefore dramatically improve links to the gardens for those wishing to visit without the need to jump in a car.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The path is being developed in phases; and initial works have already taken place between Fronun and Bwlch Bach, near the concrete works in Abergwili. Negotiations with landowners are ongoing, and various grant applications are being prepared / submitted. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive Board Member for Regeneration and Leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We have been looking at developing this path for a number of years and believe it will provide a huge boost for tourism in the area linking major tourist attractions as well as local businesses, such as cafes, pubs and restaurants. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As well as the benefits to our economy, there are also the benefits to our health as a result of increased exercise through walking and cycling, and the path will also provide a more sustainable travel option between Llandeilo and Carmarthen. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“On a bigger picture, the Tywi Valley Path is just one of a number of projects the council is working on to help in our aspiration to make Carmarthenshire the cycling capital of Wales, there is the velodrome at Carmarthen Park and there are plans to create a closed circuit facility in the county. This together with existing attractions such as the mountain biking trails in the Brechfa forest, the Celtic Trail and the Millennium Coastal Path will really put Carmarthenshire on the worldwide cycling map.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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