BIG plans are afoot for a community hub at Llandeilo railway station.

Residents of Llandeilo, Ffairfach, and Llangadog area are being invited to a drop-in event and public meeting at Llandeilo Civic Hall on Monday, October 5, to find out more information on the plans for the Towy Valley station.

The station hub is a small, transportable building, made in Wales by Bamford Makers of Presteigne. It has been specially designed for use at rural and unstaffed stations where original buildings no longer exist. It will help open up new opportunities for local business and community use.

Llandeilo Station lies on The Heart of Wales Line, which runs for 120 miles between Swansea and Shrewsbury across stunning scenery. The Llandeilo hub is expected to inspire further hubs along the line and elsewhere and has already attracted interest from English Rail Partnerships.

The Heart of Wales Line Enterprise Network has worked with designers in Wales to produce the station hub.

It’s a modular, 6m x 2.9m transportable building made from sustainably sourced Welsh wood with covered aisle leading to a modern composting toilet.

The design itself is inspired by railway heritage. The building will be well insulated, robust and secure and will have full access for disabled people.

Spokesperson for the Heart of Wales Line Enterprise Network, Rachel Francis said, “We are working to install the very first station hub at Llandeilo Station, with the support of rail industry and Welsh Government partners. The hub offers great opportunities for community and local business use. It also has the potential to help tourism in the area. We have a fantastic railway line – lets make good use of it.”

A short questionnaire, available online and from local outlets during September, will set the ball rolling.

Rachel said, “We’ve already had expressions of interest for the hub as an art studio promoting local arts and crafts, a pop-up shop and a co-working office space. The option for improving links to local tourist attractions is also under discussion. So if you have an idea or want to be involved, fill out the questionnaire and then come and talk to us.”

The drop in event will be held at Llandeilo Civic Hall on October 5 between 2pm and 5pm, followed by a public meeting between 7pm and 8.30pm.