CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council has been awarded £2.8million by the Welsh Government to spend on improving highways, transport infrastructure and road safety schemes.

Amongst the projects to benefit from the funding will be phase two of the Cross Hands Economic Link Road, a new roundabout at Ammanford’s Tirydail Lane intersection, and ‘active travel’ projects which focus on linked walking and cycling routes across the county.

Money will also be spent on improving the safety of routes in communities in the west of Llanelli and Newcastle Emlyn, designed to encourage walking and cycling, particularly to schools.

As part of the aim to reduce casualties on our roads, significant funding has been allocated to support schemes and projects that improve highway safety along the C2130 Capel Hendre to Ammanford road, the B4312 Johnstown to Llansteffan road, and the B4302 Llandeilo to Crugybar road.

Road safety schemes including training courses to support motorbikers, new and young drivers, and cyclists, as well as school-based road safety sessions have also been funded.

Cllr Hazel Evans, executive board member for environment, said: “We welcome this significant funding from the Welsh Government which will be put to good use improving our transport network and road safety.

“As well as making our highways better and safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, the schemes benefitting from this investment will open up new opportunities for Carmarthenshire’s business and tourism economies. It’s fantastic news.”