THE upcoming closure of a major road in Ammanford for repair has heightened town council concerns about the traffic problems and left the discussion of a second bypass back on the agenda.

High Street is due for closure at the end of the month for essential surfacing works to be carried out between the road and where it meets the A483 (College Street). Motorists will be asked to use a route that takes them via Wind Street and then Ffordd William Walker- the road and roundabout alongside Carregaman -and vice-versa.

The work is due to begin on Monday, February 29 and end on Sunday, March 13, stretching 230 meters onto High Street from Ammanford Square junction.

The news caused concern at a recent town council meeting when it was discussed and prompted councillors to discuss the growing issue of traffic chaos in Ammanford.

Member and county councillor Colin Evans said that it was time to push for second stage of the Ammanford relief road scheme- which would see traffic bypassing the town and moving from Tycroes alongside Tesco and connecting with the new relief road which has been created via Foundry Road.

The second stage was consulted on at the same time as the Foundry Road scheme but no progress has been made since.

Citing a growing issue of “gridlock” around Ammanford each morning and evening, Cllr Evans told the meeting that traffic management needs looking at urgently.

“It’s gridlock every day,” he said “And we don’t seem to be getting anywhere and no progress has been made at all.

“Ammanford is being strangled by traffic at the moment so it’s time to start thinking about pushing for the relief road.

“We should lobby the County Council and get this made a priority.”

Other councillors agreed that traffic had become unmanageable and that the planned road closure would just compound that. They highlighted issues on College Street, High Street, Wind Street and Margaret Street as examples.

“Margaret Street is chaos every school morning,” said Councillor Wendy Evans. “And it’s only going to get worse when the road closes. Something needs to be done.”

A spokesman for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “Part of the C2192 High Street, Ammanford will be closed from its junction with the A483 for a distance of 230 metres from Monday, February 29 until Sunday, March 13 for the Council to carry out essential surfacing works.

“The alternative route for east bound traffic will be via the A483 Wine Street, A474 Ffordd William Walker and C2192 High Street; vice versa for west bound traffic.

“We will try to keep disruption to a minimum and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”