LLANELLI: Consultation opens on £35m Ysgol Heol Goffa rebuild — two years after council scrapped the last one

A formal consultation has opened on plans to build a new £35m Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli — giving families their first official say on a project that has taken years of protest and political pressure to reach this point.

Carmarthenshire Council is proposing to relocate the special school to a new site and increase its capacity to 150, with the new building due to open in September 2029.

Parents, staff, pupils, governors and the wider community have until Tuesday 21 July to respond, after the council’s cabinet agreed to launch the consultation at its meeting on 1 June.

Ysgol Heol Goffa is the only standalone special school in Carmarthenshire, teaching children and young people aged three to 19 with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties from across the whole county.

The consultation document lays bare the pressure on the current building: the school has 132 pupils against a capacity of 118 — and has been over capacity every year for the past five years.

Inspection body Estyn found in November 2025 that several areas of the school were no longer fit for purpose, with classrooms too small for pupils to move around — particularly wheelchair users — and outdated facilities.

The new school would be built on council-owned land next to the recently completed Ysgol Pen Rhos, around three miles from the current site — the same location earmarked for the scheme the council abandoned — with pupils also able to use the hydrotherapy pool at the neighbouring Pentre Awel development.

The £35m cost would be split 75/25 between the Welsh Government and the council — though the Welsh Government share remains subject to full business case approval, a question Labour councillors raised last month as Plaid Cymru formed its new government in Cardiff Bay.

The consultation also reveals the council considered — and rejected — a larger 250-place school that would have covered autism provision as well, discounted “due to budget constraints”.

That decision may raise eyebrows among campaigners who last year condemned an “appalling scandal” over autism provision in the town. The council is separately investing £4m in a new autism unit at Ysgol Glan-y-Mor in Burry Port.

Today’s consultation marks a remarkable turnaround in a saga that began when the council scrapped the original 120-place replacement scheme in 2024 after costs escalated.

That decision sparked anger across Llanelli, with MP Dame Nia Griffith branding it the “wrong choice” and a 5,000-name petition demanding a U-turn handed in to County Hall.

Under sustained pressure from parents, campaigners and opposition councillors, the council eventually agreed to press ahead with a new, larger scheme — 30 places bigger than the one it had axed, and on the very same site.

The school has also faced a separate crisis over nursing provision, which drew the intervention of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales earlier this year.

Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education, said the consultation was “the next step towards Carmarthenshire County Council’s delivery of a new 150 pupil Heol Goffa school”.

“We are asking the school community to have their say on these proposals and help to shape the development of an increased education provision for pupils with severe learning difficulties and profound learning difficulties in the Llanelli area,” he said.

The consultation document notes Estyn’s recommendations for the school include addressing concerns identified in a safeguarding letter, alongside strengthening quality assurance systems.

If the proposal proceeds, a statutory notice is expected this winter, with a final decision in March 2027. The existing Heol Goffa site would be declared redundant, with the community given first refusal before it goes on the open market.

Responses can be submitted via the council’s online survey, by email to [email protected], or in writing to Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure, County Hall, Castle Hill, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

LLANELLI: £35m new Ysgol Heol Goffa to open in 2029 after years of uncertainty
Scrutiny councillors unanimously backed the scheme last month — with a funding question for the new Plaid Cymru government.

‘Lives may be at risk’: Watchdog probe demanded over Llanelli special school nurse crisis
The separate staffing crisis that raised serious safety concerns at the existing school.

Concerns raised over future of Heol Goffa special school amid Reform UK surge and council delays
A Llanelli councillor’s warning that delays were eroding trust in the project.

Decision on new Heol Goffa school expected this month
The moment a ‘definitive proposal’ was promised — as parents demanded action.

LLANELLI: Blood test services moving to Canolfan Pentre Awel on 1 June — with drop-in event next week for patients who want to know more

Llanelli patients needing blood tests will have a new home from 1 June, as Hywel Dda University Health Board confirms its phlebotomy service is moving to Canolfan Pentre Awel.

The service has been based at the Mass Vaccination Centre in Dafen since 2024, when it was moved there temporarily. The 1 June move to Pentre Awel represents its permanent new base.

The 2024 move to Dafen was deeply controversial. The Mass Vaccination Centre sits on an industrial estate with no public bus routes — meaning patients without a car had no way of getting there. The backlash was immediate, with the Health Board forced to introduce limited appointments at Prince Philip Hospital specifically for those who relied on public transport and couldn’t reach the Dafen site.

The service had originally been based at the Antioch Centre on Copperworks Road — a short walk from Llanelli train station and considerably more accessible by public transport than either the Dafen industrial estate or Pentre Awel. For many patients, the last two years have meant navigating a service that felt like it had been designed without them in mind.

Patients who want to find out more can attend a drop-in event at Canolfan Pentre Awel on Wednesday 20 May, running from 2pm to 6pm — giving them the chance to see the new facility ahead of the move.

Dylan Jones, Head of Pathology Services at Hywel Dda, said the new facility offered a much-improved environment for patients.

“This new facility offers a bright, accessible environment with excellent transport routes and parking, which we know is important to our patients,” he said. “Working alongside colleagues in Research and Innovation, as well as other clinical teams, will also provide improved working conditions for staff and a more seamless experience for patients.”

He added that the move represented a long-term investment in services for the Llanelli community.

Sara Quarrie, Service Director for Allied Health Professions and Health Sciences at Hywel Dda, said the team had worked hard to ensure the move delivered real benefits for both patients and staff.

“We know how important it is for local people to have a service that is easy to get to and meets their needs,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming our community to the new site and continuing to provide a safe, efficient and patient-centred service.”

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said she was pleased to see the building being used for its intended purpose.

“I am pleased to see Canolfan Pentre Awel being used for its intended purpose, by offering frontline medical health care services to our community in a more accessible location,” she said.

Canolfan Pentre Awel opened to the public in October 2025 and offers improved accessibility, transport links and parking. A new hydrotherapy pool opened there in February 2026 — made possible through a partnership between Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda and charitable donations from the Llanelli Hydrotherapy Pool Committee, the Elizabeth Williams Endowment, Treat Trust Wales and the Welsh Government.

For patients travelling by public transport, the L1 and L2 bus routes connect Canolfan Pentre Awel to key locations across Llanelli approximately every 90 minutes, including Llanelli town centre, Parc Trostre, Prince Philip Hospital and Felinfoel. The L11 route serves Kidwelly and surrounding areas at the start and end of the day.

Patients must pre-book blood test appointments online at hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/services-and-teams/blood-tests or by calling the Communications Hub on 0300 303 9642. A referral from a medical professional is required to access the service.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

BLOOD TEST SHUFFLE: Llanelli patients moved AGAIN as services shift to new £60m Pentre Awel site
The March 2026 story confirming the Pentre Awel move was coming.

Health Board moves Llanelli blood tests to out-of-town industrial park
The controversial 2024 move to Dafen that left patients without bus services stranded.

LLANELLI: £35m new Ysgol Heol Goffa to open in 2029 after years of uncertainty — but funding question hangs over Plaid Cymru government

Plans for a long-awaited new Ysgol Heol Goffa have moved forward after Carmarthenshire Council’s education scrutiny committee unanimously recommended they should proceed — with the school now expected to open in September 2029 if all goes to plan.

The new school will be located near Ysgol Pen Rhos, almost four miles from the current oversubscribed Heol Goffa site, and will cater for 150 pupils aged three to 19 with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties. That is 30 more places than the original 120-pupil scheme that the council scrapped in 2024 on cost grounds — a decision that sparked widespread anger and protests in Llanelli.

The £35 million price tag would be split between the Welsh Government, contributing 75%, and Carmarthenshire Council paying the remaining 25%. At Tuesday’s meeting, Labour councillor Martyn Palfreman asked for assurances that the Welsh Government’s 75% contribution would be protected given that a new administration — led by Plaid Cymru — was now being formed in Cardiff Bay.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Glynog Davies responded: “I’m confident that we will get that funding.”

Cllr Palfreman, however, said the funding question was not one to be taken lightly. Writing on social media after the meeting, he said any threat to that funding would be “unforgivable” — pointing out that pupils and parents had already suffered due to what he described as Plaid Cymru’s abandonment of its original plans and commitments on the matter in 2024.

The original plans for a new Ysgol Heol Goffa were scrapped by the council in 2024 after costs escalated, before new plans were subsequently agreed following pressure from Labour councillors and community campaigners.

The school has also faced a separate crisis over nursing provision, with calls for a watchdog investigation after concerns were raised that lives could be at risk.

The new school is currently oversubscribed — it has 132 pupils despite a capacity of just 118. Inspection body Estyn has found that several parts of the existing school are no longer fit for purpose and that facilities are outdated.

A report before the committee said the new building would “provide 21st Century facilities to meet the needs of children with more complex needs and profound additional learning needs”, including better post-16 provision for life skills and vocational learning, and improved play provision on the new site.

The new school would use the hydrotherapy pool at the nearby Pentre Awel health and leisure development — a significant benefit given the specialist needs of many of its pupils.

Cllr Davies described the preferred option as “excellent and fully costed”, adding: “It’s bigger, better, modern and future-proofed.” He acknowledged it had been a “long and very complicated process.”

Twenty sites were considered before the location near Ysgol Pen Rhos was selected as the most appropriate. Director of education Owain Lloyd said its proximity to Pentre Awel was a key factor.

Cllr Kim Broom summed up the sentiment in the chamber: “The parents, they want a new school, and the children deserve that.”

Carmarthenshire Council is also investing £4 million in a new autism unit at Ysgol Glan-y-Mor in Burry Port, due to open by September 2027.

Following the scrutiny committee’s unanimous recommendation, a decision will be taken by cabinet. The subsequent process includes a public consultation, a statutory notice, an objection report and a final decision by full council — currently scheduled for March next year.

Our Ysgol Heol Goffa coverage

New school plans for Ysgol Heol Goffa move forward after years of uncertainty
How the council agreed to press ahead after the original plans were scrapped.

Council faces critical decision on future of Llanelli’s special school
The moment the original rebuild plans collapsed and the community’s reaction.

‘Lives may be at risk’: Watchdog probe demanded over Llanelli special school nurse crisis
The separate staffing crisis that raised serious safety concerns at the existing school.

Campaigners condemn ‘appalling scandal’ over autism provision in Llanelli
Community anger over the wider state of additional learning needs provision in the town.

LLANELLI: Dafen’s Black Bridge closes until October for replacement — as next stage of walking and cycling route takes shape

One of Llanelli’s most recognisable footbridges has shut its gates – and won’t reopen until October.

Dafen footbridge – known to generations of locals as the Black Bridge – has been closed by Carmarthenshire County Council while the existing structure is demolished and a brand new bridge installed in its place.

The closure is expected to last until October due to the scale of the works involved.

The Black Bridge crosses the railway line on the west side of the B4304 Coastal Link Road, connecting Trinity Road in Llanelli to the former Pen y Fan quarry site.

The new bridge will feature ramped access – a significant upgrade on the existing structure, and one that will open the route up to wheelchair users, pushchair users and people with mobility difficulties for the first time.

The project is funded by the Welsh Government through its Active Travel Fund and forms part of a wider scheme to create a safe walking and cycling route along the B4303.

The Black Bridge replacement is the next section of a continuous walking and cycling route being built along the corridor.

An earlier section – crossing the Afon Dafen – has already been completed and was named in honour of Welsh rugby legend Phil Bennett at a ceremony last year.

The new route will connect local schools, employment sites and the hospital to the surrounding residential areas of Dafen and Llanelli.

The project also links to the wider Pentre Awel development – the major health and well-being campus under construction on the former Dafen industrial estate – which is expected to bring thousands of jobs and visitors to the area.

Wales has been investing heavily in new walking and cycling routes in recent years – and Carmarthenshire has been among the biggest beneficiaries, with Welsh Government funding backing a number of schemes across the county.

During the closure, the council is directing users to an alternative route via Olive Street and Heol Trostre.

Pedestrians are asked to follow the diversion signage in place and allow extra time for journeys that would ordinarily use the bridge.

For drivers and cyclists using the Coastal Link Road, works traffic may cause some disruption in the area over the coming months.

When the new Black Bridge opens, it will connect directly into the completed Afon Dafen section – giving Llanelli a continuous, accessible walking and cycling route that didn’t exist before.

BLOOD TEST SHUFFLE: Llanelli patients moved AGAIN as services shift to new £60m Pentre Awel site

The move by Hywel Dda University Health Board marks the latest change for locals, who previously saw blood tests controversially shifted to an “out-of-town industrial park” in Dafen from the Antioch Centre in 2024.

That move drew heavy fire from patients at the time, as the Dafen Mass Vaccination Centre is not served by any public bus routes. The Health Board was even forced to offer limited appointments at Prince Philip Hospital specifically for those who relied on public transport and couldn’t reach the industrial estate.

Now, the service is set to find a permanent home at the £60 million Canolfan Pentre Awel, a modern sports and leisure facility that officially opened its doors in October 2025.

The new location is expected to be a relief for many, as it is marginally better served by public transport and sits much closer to the Antioch Centre where tests were originally held before the Dafen “exile.”

The Health Board claims the shift to Pentre Awel will finally offer the improved accessibility, better transport links, and more convenient parking that patients have been demanding.

Canolfan Pentre Awel already boasts a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, which opened in February 2026, providing therapeutic support for people with various conditions.

The phlebotomy team will initially be based in Block B, sharing space with Research and Innovation services and a range of bookable clinical rooms.

While the Health Board states the move aims to enhance the “patient experience,” for many in Llanelli, it simply means yet another change to navigate for a routine but essential service.

For now, patients are being told to continue booking their blood test appointments at the current Dafen site or Prince Philip Hospital. Appointments can be made online via the existing booking system or by calling the Communications Hub on 0300 303 9642.

The Health Board has confirmed it will release further details regarding the exact opening date at Canolfan Pentre Awel and any changes to appointment arrangements as soon as they are available.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Health Board moves Llanelli blood tests to out-of-town industrial park Initial 2024 relocation that sparked anger over a lack of bus services and its remote location.

Canolfan Pentre Awel opens its doors in Llanelli after years of anticipation A first look at the £60 million facility that is now set to become the permanent home for blood tests.

New images reveal detail of Llanelli’s proposed transport hub as plans formally submitted

A greener, safer gateway

The full planning application, prepared by AtkinsRéalis, sets out how the southern side of the station would be transformed into a modern transport hub. The latest drawings show two new bus stops with cantilevered shelters topped by green roofs, real‑time passenger information boards, and a redesigned car park with 40 spaces, including bays for disabled users, motorbikes and electric vehicles.

A new 2‑metre wide footway would run through the site, linking Copperworks Road and Station Road, while a series of raised and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings are planned to make it easier and safer to move between the station, bus stops and surrounding streets. Cycle users would benefit from a 22‑space covered bike shelter, also designed with a green roof.

Landscaping is a key part of the design, with existing poor‑quality scrub and hedgerow replaced by semi‑mature tree planting to screen the site from nearby homes. The plans also include bioretention areas to manage surface water and improve biodiversity.

Public backing

The consultation report shows that 88% of respondents believed Llanelli would benefit from the interchange, with more than four in five saying it would encourage them to use public transport more often.

One resident commented that the hub would “finally bring buses and trains together in one place,” while another said it would “make the station feel like a proper gateway to the town rather than a back entrance.”

Concerns were raised about whether the bus facilities would be fully used, given the current limited services on Station Road. The council’s response was that the interchange is designed for future growth, particularly with developments such as Pentre Awel expected to increase demand.

Other feedback led to changes in the final design: pedestrian crossings were revised, cycle shelters relocated, and the dimensions of disabled and EV bays adjusted.

Part of a wider regeneration picture

The interchange is not being developed in isolation. It is intended to complement the £200m Pentre Awel wellness and life science village, which opened its first phase earlier this year. The landmark development on Llanelli’s coastline is expected to create around 2,000 jobs and attract thousands of visitors, making improved transport links essential.

It also ties into Carmarthenshire Council’s new town centre masterplans for Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen, which set out how empty buildings will be brought back into use, new homes created, and public spaces improved. The council has been clear that better transport connectivity is central to making town centres more vibrant and accessible.

Closer to the station itself, the demolition of the Four Tys housing blocks in Tyisha has now been completed, paving the way for a new mixed‑use development with modern housing, community facilities and green space. The interchange is seen as a vital link in reconnecting Tyisha with the town centre and wider region.

“Enhancing access to sustainable transport”

Cllr Edward Thomas, Carmarthenshire’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure, said earlier this year:

“We are looking for feedback to help shape plans for Llanelli Multi‑Modal Interchange to ensure that we are providing an appropriate solution that enhances access to more sustainable transport opportunities to support Llanelli into the future.”

Next steps

If approved, the interchange would be built in phases alongside the existing station, with construction carefully managed to minimise disruption. The council says the project is a vital part of its strategy to reduce car dependency, improve access to jobs and education, and support the wider regeneration of Llanelli.

Related Llanelli regeneration stories

Canolfan Pentre Awel opens its doors in Llanelli
The landmark £200m wellness and life science village has welcomed its first visitors, promising 2,000 jobs and a major boost to the local economy.

Future of Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen town centres set out
Carmarthenshire Council unveils masterplans to revitalise town centres, bring empty buildings back into use and create new homes and jobs.

‘Four Tys’ housing blocks in Llanelli set to be demolished
The demolition of the Tyisha tower blocks has cleared the way for a new mixed‑use development with modern housing, community facilities and green space.

#busStation #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrEdwardThomas #Llanelli #LlanelliRailwayStation #LlanelliTrainStation #LlanelliTransportHub #multiModalInterchange #PentreAwel #planningApplication #publicTransport #townCentreMasterplan #TransportHub #Tyisha

Canolfan Pentre Awel opens its doors in Llanelli after years of anticipation

Residents and local sports clubs were the first through the doors of Canolfan Pentre Awel on Wednesday (15 October), the flagship first phase of the 83‑acre development at Delta Lakes.

The centrepiece leisure hub boasts a 25‑metre, eight‑lane swimming pool, learner pool, hydrotherapy pool, cutting‑edge gym, eight‑court sports hall, and dedicated spin and dance studios. Community spaces, meeting rooms, a café, and scenic coastal paths also form part of the new facility.

A milestone for Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire Council leader Cllr Darren Price hailed the opening as “a clear example of what we can achieve through collaboration across services, sectors, and communities.”

Cabinet member Cllr Hazel Evans described the centre as “a cornerstone of our vision for a stronger, healthier Carmarthenshire,” adding that it was designed to be “centred around our community and a true example of what can be achieved when all sectors come together.”

The £40m Swansea Bay City Deal contribution, alongside funding from UK and Welsh Governments and the council, has underpinned the project.

From Tinopolis to Breezy Village

19th Century – Tinopolis
Llanelli earned the nickname ‘Tinopolis’ as it became a global centre of tinplate production. Families worked in hot, dangerous conditions producing tinplate for everything from food cans to toys. Felinfoel Brewery even filled the first tinplate beer cans in Britain.

1861 – Brickworks
William Thomas established a brickworks on the Delta Lakes site, using rich clay deposits. He also built workers’ housing known as Brick Row to support Llanelli’s early growth.

Late 19th to mid-20th Century – Tinplate Works
The South Wales Tinplate Works, founded by Edward Moorewood and John Rogers, dominated the area with mills, rail sidings and loading bays. Expanded in 1911, the works thrived until post-war decline led to demolition by 1951.

1960s–1990s – Delta Lakes
As heavy industry faded, the former shipping channel was landscaped into Delta Lakes. New paths and roads were laid, including the roundabout still seen today.

2025 – Pentre Awel
The site is reborn as Canolfan Pentre Awel, a £218m wellness village. Its name, meaning “Breezy Village”, reflects the coastal setting, while the architecture pays tribute to the area’s industrial heritage with light‑filled spaces and natural materials designed to “bring the outside in”.

End of an era for Jubilee Pool

The opening also signals the closure of Llanelli Leisure Centre and Jubilee Pool, which had served the town since 1963.

Llanelli Amateur Swimming Club marked the moment by becoming the last to train at the old pool and the first to dive into the new one. Club secretary Nicola Morris said the move offered “security” after years of uncertainty caused by repairs and closures.

Lifeguard Teyan Burt reflected on the handover as “the end of an era,” paying tribute to the centre’s 62 years of service.

Mixed community reaction

While many residents welcomed the state‑of‑the‑art facilities, others voiced concerns about the project’s cost and location.

Town centre traders Jane McDonald and Becky Foden told the BBC they feared the out‑of‑town site could draw footfall away from the market and high street. “It looks all right [but] it’s a lot of money,” said Becky. “What about our market? And our town centre?”

By contrast, Edward Morgan, 82, from Burry Port, said he was optimistic: “I think it’s certainly an improvement from the old swimming pool… I plan to use the onsite healthcare facilities for my regular blood tests.”

What’s next

The wider £218m Pentre Awel project will be delivered in phases over the coming years. Plans include 370 assisted living units, healthcare and research facilities, business incubation space, housing, a nursing home, and a hotel.

Spanning an area equivalent to 40 rugby pitches, the development is billed as the first of its kind in Wales, bringing together health, leisure, business, and community services on one coastal site.

An official opening ceremony with UK and Welsh Government representatives is expected later this year.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Llanelli Leisure Centre could become new home for Ysgol Dewi Sant
Plans are being considered to repurpose the old leisure centre following the move to Pentre Awel.

Plans submitted for new 120-bed hotel on Llanelli’s coast
A major new hotel development is proposed as part of the wider regeneration of the town’s waterfront.

Construction starts on Llanelli’s Pentre Awel wellness village
Work began on the landmark £200m project at Delta Lakes.

Planning approved for Llanelli’s multi-million pound Pentre Awel development
Councillors gave the green light for the ambitious scheme at Delta Lakes.

Council appoints contractor to deliver Llanelli’s Pentre Awel scheme
The main contractor was confirmed to lead the first phase of the project.

#BouyguesUK #CanolfanPentreAwel #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrDarrenPrice #CllrHazelEvans #construction #danceStudio #DeltaLakes #featured #gym #JubileePool #LeisureCentre #Llanelli #LlanelliLeisureCentre #PentreAwel #sportsHall #SwanseaBayCityDeal #swimmingPool #WellnessCentre

First Cymru announces major bus network overhaul across South & West Wales

Bus operator First Cymru is rolling out a comprehensive set of changes to its South and West Wales network from Sunday 31 August 2025, with revised timetables, new routes, and increased service frequencies designed to improve reliability and connectivity across the region.

The updates span Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, and the Vale of Glamorgan, and have been developed in collaboration with local councils — including funding support from Carmarthenshire County Council.

New Services & Route Extensions

• L11 (Llanelli–Kidwelly): A brand-new hourly service via Burry Port and Pembrey, funded by Carmarthenshire County Council.
• 6A (Swansea–Grenfell Park): New weekday service via SA1.
• X1 (Swansea–Bridgend): Now extended to Swansea University’s Singleton Campus with larger double decker buses.
• 39 (Swansea–Tycoch): Will now operate Monday to Friday during college holidays, extending beyond its previous term-time-only schedule.
• 195 & 197 (Llanelli–Carmarthen): Extended to Parc Trostre, with the 197 also serving Ffos Las Estate.
• 69 (Bridgend–Cefn Glas): Now operating via Angel Street and Glan y Parc.
• X2 (Porthcawl–Cardiff): Rerouted through Neville Street and Fitzhamon Embankment, avoiding Westgate Street.

Increased Frequencies

• L3 (Llanelli–Pontarddulais): Now running every 60 minutes.
• 321 (Llantwit Major–Talbot Green): Increased to hourly service.
• 87 (Neath–Margam): Additional trips during college holidays and extended journeys to Dalton Road.

Route Revisions

• L1 & L2: Now serving the new Pentre Awel development.
• 128: Will operate via Cross Hands Business Park.
• 129: Will bypass Pantyffynnon via the A483.
• 84, 81 & 82: Will now terminate at Port Talbot Parkway Station.
• 59 & 83: Interlinked at Pontrhydyfen for seamless travel between Neath and the Afan Valley.

College Services Updated

Services 901–907, connecting various towns to Neath College, will have revised timetables to improve punctuality for the new academic year.

Withdrawals

• 103 (Ammanford–Llandybie): Withdrawn and replaced by services 165 and X13.

Timetable Tweaks Across the Network

In addition to new routes and service extensions, many existing services will see timetable adjustments aimed at improving punctuality and better aligning with passenger demand. These include:

• L1–L7 (Llanelli area): All services revised to improve reliability, with L1 and L2 also rerouted via Pentre Awel.
• 124–129 (Ammanford area): Timetables adjusted for punctuality; 128 and 129 also feature route changes.
• 145–146, 165–166 (Carmarthenshire): Updated schedules, with 166 gaining Saturday trips and replacing some weekday-only journeys.
• 195–197 (Llanelli–Carmarthen): Timetables revised alongside route extensions.
• 6, 29, 34, 39 (Swansea): All revised for punctuality, with service 39 now running during college holidays.
• 56, 59, 81–83, 87 (Neath Port Talbot): Adjustments include extended routes and improved connections, especially between Neath and the Afan Valley.
• 901–907 (Neath College services): Timetables updated to support the new academic year.
• 69, X2 (Bridgend & Cardiff): Revised schedules and rerouted paths to improve access and reduce delays.
• 321 (Vale of Glamorgan): Increased frequency to hourly service.

Local Collaboration

The overhaul reflects extensive collaboration with local authorities and feedback from passengers, aiming to create a more responsive and efficient public transport network.

Plan Ahead

All changes take effect from Sunday 31 August 2025. Passengers are advised to check updated timetables before travelling.

#103 #129 #195 #197 #321 #39 #59 #69 #6A #81 #82 #83 #84 #AfanValley #Ammanford #Bridgend #Bus #CrossHands #featured #FirstCymru #GrenfellPark #GwendraethValley #Kidwelly #L1 #L11 #L2 #L3 #Llanelli #NeathValley #PentreAwel #Pontrhydyfen #PortTalbot #PortTalbotParkway #PortTennant #SingletonCampus #SwanseaUniversity #timetable #X1 #X2

Llanelli Leisure Centre could become new home for Ysgol Dewi Sant

Once completed, the council’s new Pentre Awel development at Delta Lakes will house brand new leisure centre facilities.

The council are now debating the use of the current Llanelli leisure centre site, with education chiefs suggesting that it is used as a location for a new Ysgol Dewi Sant.

Council officers will now assess the site to see if it is suitable for a new school, and put forward an outline planning application.

Councillor Glynog Davies, the council’s cabinet member for education and Welsh language said: “The outcome of the outline planning will inform the possibility of locating the replacement school building for Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant on the Llanelli Leisure Centre site,” 

Original £9.1m plans to relocate Ysgol Dewi Sant to recreational land in the Llanerch area of Llanelli was put on hold in 2018 before finally being shelved in 2020 following local resident’s concerns.

Chairman of Ysgol Dewi Sant’s governing body, Michael Bassett said: “We have trusted the process set by the authority of earmarking a suitable site and are pleased to hear that the authority is investigating a particular site in the hope that it will offer our school a suitable new home.

“A recent report by Estyn inspectors states that teaching standards at the school are of the highest standard, and I would like to thank all the school staff and pupils for their patience and excellent work. We very much hope that these early investigations will enable the school to develop and promote the Welsh language in the town.”

Rob James, an Independent Llanelli Councillor who represents the Lliedi ward who attended Ysgol Dewi Sant as a child, said he and the late Cllr Anthony Leyshon, who had also attended the school, had met council officers to press the case for a new site for Ysgol Dewi Sant over a period of years.

Cllr Rob James said: “We can finally announce that Carmarthenshire Council will soon commence investigative work on the suitability of using the current Llanelli Leisure Centre for the new Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant.

“Cllr Anthony Leyshon and I discussed the need for a new site to be identified for the school over the last few years with senior council officers and it is fantastic that investigative works will soon begin.

“There are a number of challenges and opportunities in using the current leisure site for the school and I am eager to hear from pupils, teachings staff, parents and residents on this proposal.”

Concerns have already been raised around the suitability of the site to accommodate the anticipated additional school traffic on Park Crescent and Old Castle Road, as well as the need to segregate traffic and parking for the adjacent Selwyn Samuel Centre.

Campaigners have also raised the need to find a new location for Heol Goffa special school, and how this is a more pressing need than relocating Ysgol Dewi Sant.

Writing on social media, Richard Joseph Young said: “Why not use it for Heol Goffa school. Ramps, lifts, pools to use for hydrotherapy. Parking and parks near. Come on use your small brain. After 10 years of lies for Heol Goffa school, you owe it to these children and their parents.”

Carol West added: “You do have the Selwyn Samuel there with constant traffic. And access isn’t good. Cars park everywhere when picking up. Have you seen the road at the moment around Dewi Sant.. It’s gridlock. I don’t see where in that area you could accommodate that amount of traffic”

Deb Messing also thought the site would be better used for Heol Goffa, saying: “It’s a great location for Heol Goffa and most Heol Goffa children are taken to school by mini bus. Rather than individual children in individual cars so a lot less cars than if Dewi Sant was there. Then the existing Heol Goffa site could be used as a site for the new Dewi Sant, ideal location as it is in the same area. Parents without transport would have a lot further to walk to town.”

No decision has yet been made on the future of Heol Goffa school.

(Lead image: Google Maps)

#CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrGlynogDavies #CllrRobJames #education #featured #LeisureCentre #Llanelli #LlanelliLeisureCentre #newSchool #PentreAwel #YsgolDewiSant

Plans submitted for new 120-bed hotel on Llanelli’s coast

The plans would see a five-storey 120-bed hotel built on land between the Machynys housing development and the Pentre Awel health and leisure complex.

Outline plans have been submitted to Carmarthenshire Council by developers Ove Arup and Partners Ltd who say the proposals would result in a “high-quality destination for visitors which would support the local tourism economy in a sustainable location and contribute positively to the economic and cultural growth of Llanelli and the wider region”.

The brownfield site was historically used as part of the Machynys brickworks and part of the sprawling industrial dockland area of the town.

Existing woodland would be retained as part of the proposals as well as some ecological mitigation between the hotel and the nearby housing.

A 140 space car park would also be constructed, including electric car charging facilities.

A hotel was first given planning approval on the site over 10 years ago in 2013, howebver nothing has been developed until now.

No information on planned operators of the hotel have been revealed.

The hotel proposals on the B4304 lie across the road from Carmarthenshire Council’s huge new Pentre Awel site at Delta Lakes. Built by construction company Bouygues UK, the scheme being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and colleges is part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal (£40million).

The council says Pentre Awel aims to create around 1,800 jobs over 15 years and boost the local economy by more than £450m.

The development includes a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and hydrotherapy pool together with education, research and business development space; a clinical research and delivery centre; and a well-being skills centre. 

Future planned development includes 35 new homes to the south of the hotel site.

(Lead image: Carmarthenshire Council)

#Arup #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #DeltaLakes #featured #hotel #Llanelli #Machynys #PentreAwel