Labour candidate backs Metro link to Ammanford and Llanelli as debate grows over West Wales transport

Welsh Labour’s lead Senedd candidate for Sir Gaerfyrddin, Calum Higgins, says new Metro proposals linking Swansea to Ammanford, Llanelli and the wider Amman Valley could deliver long‑awaited improvements for Carmarthenshire communities.

The plans, published by Transport for Wales as part of a major long‑term investment programme, outline new stations across Swansea and upgraded rail corridors stretching west. Supporters say the project could transform travel across South West Wales, while others argue Carmarthenshire needs clearer commitments to ensure it receives its fair share.

‘A major opportunity for West Wales’

Higgins, who lives in Tycroes, said the proposals show a commitment to improving public transport beyond Swansea.

“It’s great to see Welsh Labour’s commitment to investing in public transport being extended to West Wales, including Llanelli, the Amman Valley and West Carmarthenshire,” he said.

He added that strengthening the Heart of Wales line and the Swansea–Llanelli–Carmarthen corridor should be a priority, arguing that better links to Swansea’s major employers and attractions would support the Carmarthenshire economy.

Different views on how far the Metro reaches

The latest proposals follow comments from Green Party councillor Rob James, who argued the Metro vision remains too focused on Swansea and does not go far enough for rural Carmarthenshire. He said communities west of the city needed firmer commitments and clearer timelines.

Higgins did not offer a direct response to those concerns when approached, but pointed to the benefits he believes the project could bring to the county.

Long‑running questions over transport investment

The discussion forms part of a wider debate over transport priorities in West Wales. Residents and councillors have repeatedly called for better rail and bus connections, while campaigners continue to push for progress on the long‑promised St Clears railway station.

For many communities, the issue is not the ambition of the Metro vision, but whether investment will reach far enough west — and how quickly improvements will be delivered.

‘I’ll push for delivery if elected’

Higgins said he would work to ensure Carmarthenshire sees tangible improvements if he is elected in May.

“If elected in May I’ll be pushing for this project to be delivered for the people of Carmarthenshire as soon as possible so we are even better connected and can benefit from the growth in jobs it would bring,” he said.

What happens next

Transport for Wales is expected to refine its Metro plans over the coming months, with further detail on routes, timelines and funding still to be confirmed.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Metro row as councillor blasts ‘Swansea‑centric’ vision
Concerns raised over whether the Metro reaches far enough into Carmarthenshire.

£14bn Metro dream for Swansea
Questions over how much of the investment will reach West Wales.

Calls for action on stalled St Clears station
Five years of promises — and still no progress on the long‑awaited rail stop.

Peep Show star Robert Webb lists restored Glanamman farmhouse for £1.2m

A Carmarthenshire farmhouse painstakingly restored by actor and comedian Robert Webb has been put up for sale — with a guide price of £1.2 million.

The Peep Show star, who rose to fame alongside David Mitchell in Channel 4’s cult sitcom, discovered the Grade II listed property near Glanamman in 2019.

Known as Ty Llwyd, the fortified 17th‑century longhouse was on the brink of collapse, riddled with damp and overgrown with foliage.

But Webb and his wife, writer and actress Abigail Burdess, saw potential in the ruin and embarked on a six‑year restoration that has turned it into one of the most striking homes in the Amman Valley.

From ruin to revival

The couple, working with Abigail’s brother Dominic and a team of local tradespeople, combined three ancient buildings — the original house, the old byre, and the hayloft — into a single five‑bedroom residence.

The project was not without challenges: Covid delays, rising material costs, and the sheer complexity of working with a listed structure stretched the timeline far beyond their expectations.

Webb admits the experience gave him a new empathy for the “hapless” renovators on Grand Designs, saying he now understands the patience and blind faith required to see such a project through.

A house of character

Today, Ty Llwyd blends centuries‑old character with modern comfort. Visitors enter through its distinctive arched porchway — the feature that earned its Grade II listing — into a farmhouse kitchen with handmade cabinetry, a Rangemaster oven set into a vast Inglenook fireplace, and views across wildflower meadows.

The adjoining byre has been transformed into a soaring living space with exposed beams, a wood‑burning stove, and a curved window that once served as a cart entrance.

Upstairs, boutique‑style bathrooms feature reclaimed oak counters, brass fittings, and roll‑top baths overlooking the valley. The hayloft wing offers a second sitting room, guest accommodation, and an accessible ground‑floor bedroom with garden access.

Modern upgrades in a historic shell

Despite its age, the house is equipped with eco‑friendly technology. Heating runs beneath locally reclaimed flagstone floors, powered by a ground source heat pump.

Water comes from a private borehole, filtered on site, while a bio‑rock sewage treatment system ensures independence from mains services.

Wiring has been laid for solar panels on the barn roof, and cables are ready for electric vehicle charging and automated gates. A CCTV system with remote access adds modern security.

Even the thick stone walls have been adapted with hemp‑crete insulation, ensuring the house warms quickly and stays cosy. Each wing has its own Wi‑Fi hub to overcome the four‑foot walls, while hidden storage is cleverly built into panelling throughout.

The land and setting

Set in around 25 acres, Ty Llwyd offers landscaped gardens, stables, a barn, and mature woodland. The property sits on an ancient footpath at the base of the Black Mountain, on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, giving direct access to some of Wales’s most dramatic scenery. Ammanford and Llandeilo are just a short drive away, while Swansea lies 17 miles to the south.

A project of passion

For Webb and Burdess, the restoration was as much about preserving heritage as creating a family home. They wanted to add a property back into the local housing stock rather than compete for ready‑made homes. Yet despite their efforts, the family never relocated permanently from London, and now believe the house deserves to be lived in full‑time.

Webb says: “The whole exterior of the house is absurdly beautiful when you see it in real life. I didn’t realise how physically impressive it would be until it was finished. I will miss Wales. The countryside is just gorgeous — it always feels like the grass is greener here.”

Ty Llwyd is listed with Savills Cardiff, with agent Daniel Rees describing it as “a real piece of Welsh history that is now a stunning home.”

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