Carmarthen Journal

Park’s vandal-proof hand sanitisers

- IAN LEWIS Reporter ian.lewis@walesonlin­e.co.uk

VANDALPROOF sanitiser dispensers been installed Carmarthen Park.

Clerk to Carmarthen Town Council Alun Harries said: “They have been put up at every entrance and within the park to help people stay as safe as possible while visiting it.

“They are also handsfree, meaning that people do not need to touch the equipment to be able to access the sanitising gel.”

They have been manufactur­ed by local company hand have at

AP Bowen Engineerin­g.

The park, the biggest in Carmarthen, reopened on June 9, more than two months after it closed due to the coronaviru­s pandemic.

However, due to concerns about social distancing, the skate park, children’s play area and outside gym will remain closed until further notice. These areas will not open until guidance on doing so is received from the Welsh Government.

Carmarthen Town Council, which runs the park, closed its gates to the public on March 23, the same day that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced lockdown measures.

The decision to close the park – which is run and managed by Carmarthen Town Council – was made following an official decision by Carmarthen­shire Council to close its parks where in the county.

The entrance to the side of Tesco Extra on Morfa Lane is still closed due to its narrow dimensions, but the other entrances to the park, including the one at the main gates, are open.

The news has been welcomed by Carmarthen mayor Gareth John.

“Carmarthen Town Council staff have been preparing the park for reopening for some time and it is now in fantastic elsecondit­ion for everyone to enjoy,” said Mr John.

“Due to the Covid-19 restrictio­ns we are not able to open the play equipment, skate park and outdoor gym for the time being, but we hope to provide a takeaway beverage service from the tea shop in the coming weeks.

“The purpose-built hands-free hand sanitising stations, installed at various points within the park, will provide added safety measures for the local community.”

As for other sites across Carmarthen­shire, the county council has said that it is working on plans and operations to reopen parks and playground­s, and that further informatio­n will be announced shortly.

Talks are also ongoing between Mr John and business leaders in the town over how to safely reopen it to shoppers in the coming weeks.

Several ideas are being discussed with an action plan being formed.

 ?? Picture: Adrian White ?? Carmarthen Park reopened on June 9.
Picture: Adrian White Carmarthen Park reopened on June 9.
 ??  ?? Vandal-proof hand sanitisers have been installed at several points across Carmarthen Park.
Vandal-proof hand sanitisers have been installed at several points across Carmarthen Park.

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