Work Starts On Ambitious Tywi Valley Path

Work has started on a section of the multi-million-pound and picturesque Tywi Valley Path. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The first phase of works have taken place between Fronun and Bwlch Bach, near the concrete works in Abergwili, and will form part of the planned 16-mile route linking Carmarthen and Llandeilo through the scenic Tywi Valley countryside. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The works included drainage and widening of the existing carriageway for approximately 1km, with some road markings and signage still to be carried out, and were paid for thanks to a Local Transport Fund grant from Welsh Government. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The remainder of the path will be all off the highway and will follow an almost adjacent route to that of the River Tywi, linking in with major tourist attractions and generating between £860,000 and £2million in the local economy every year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It will also give people a sustainable and healthy travel option, linking with villages between the two main towns. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “I am delighted that we have been able to start work on the Tywi Valley Path which will cost between £5 and £8million and will be developed in phases, depending on funding. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is an exciting project which will deliver healthy sustainable travel, improve access to education, employment and leisure and capitalise on the increasing leisure tourism economy in the stunning Tywi Valley.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council Leader Emlyn Dole said: “The path, which will accommodate both cyclists and walkers, will provide a huge boost to the local economy, signposting people to tourist attractions along the route and creating more jobs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It will also further support our ambition to make Carmarthenshire the cycling capital of Wales with major plans for a closed circuit cycling track in the county as well as the velodrome in Carmarthen park.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The council received a Local Transport Fund grant of £581,600 towards improving and creating walking and cycling links in Carmarthenshire; which has been used for the Tywi Valley Path and other projects. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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