Pontyberem

Your Pontyberem correspondent is Keith Evans, 43 Brandyway, Pontyberem. 01269 871955. keithevans806@ btinternet.com

River embankment erosion Ongoing concerns following the recent collapse of the park riverbank and continued erosion were discussed at the March community council meeting. In reply to questions, County Councillor Liam Bowen said no engineering works to address the matter were likely before April. In the meantime, the county council would monitor the situation.

Further tree felling Recently, in accord with public safety requirement, Network Rail had felled another large tree deemed a hazard. A further unsound tree, the last in the series, is due to be cut down after nesting birds have fledged their young.

Dog fouling worsens With more reported incidents of dog owners not appropriately scooping up the mess made by their animals in the park the community clerk has been in talks with the county council. Enforcement officers have been requested to visit and issue on the spot fines to any dog owner not clearing up their pet’s excrement in the village park. The health risks, especially for young children, are very serious as well as a general nuisance. Councillors Gareth Harries and Peter Lewis were particularly thanked for their efforts in attempting to counteract the problems.

Furnace Terrace road safety In response to community councillor Richard Selwood and others living along Furnace Terrace the county council has declared it has no available finance to erect 20mph speed signs along the pavement-less busy road. ‘Slow/Araf’ painted signs have been painted at either end of Furnace Terrace which are hard to detect in bad weather and in the dark. The issues and potential dangers have been highlighted for some 30 years, with lobbying to be continued.

Priority postbox For the rising number of villagers applying for UK Government Covid home-testing kits the completed packages should be placed in the post box outside CK’s supermarket and not taken into the Post Office itself. For further details on the home tests visit gov.uk

Chemist times Monday to Friday trading hours of the local pharmacy are 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5.30pm. Inside the store there is a maximum of two customers at any one time.

Covid-19 inoculations Local residents have been receiving accelerated notices of Covid-19 inoculations in a variety of locations, including the Memorial Hall, Carmarthen and Llanelli.

Post Office times Located in CK’s supermarket the area’s main Post Office operates seven days a week from 8am to 8pm with a lunch break between 12.30pm and 1pm.