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Cross Hands

Cross Hands is a key 'Growth Zone' for the Carmarthenshire economy, serving as a hub for strategic investment and development in housing, employment, and commercial land uses.

Unlike the other ten rural towns in the Ten Towns Initiative, Cross Hands is a long-term focal point for regional-scale investment in infrastructure and multiple growth zones, including Cross Hands West, the Food Zone, and the Cross Hands East Strategic Site. These areas are targeted at key sectors such as life sciences, advanced manufacturing, environmental technologies, creative industries, and agri-food technologies.

Consequently, Cross Hands and its surrounding areas face fewer socio-economic challenges compared to other rural communities. The region has seen significant population growth in recent years, supporting a younger demographic with higher economic activity rates and a greater level of full-time employment.

Discover Cross Hands

Ten Towns Project

The Cross Hands Growth team approved an application from Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli for a Youth and Community Officer based in Cross Hands. Following this approval, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Elli, along with several volunteers, successfully carried out essential enhancements to Tabor Chapel Vestry. This renovated space has since become the hub for youth and community activities in Cross Hands, as well as for local schools.

Children from Cross Hands School have also been involved in creating a piece of artwork from waste material. The children have been involved in the process of collecting waste products and designing a piece of material art that depicts the area of Cross Hands.

Additionally, Carmarthenshire-based street artist Steve Jenkins has painted a mural in the town that captures its history and heritage. Situated on the side of the Squires and Lane Hair Academy and Salon, the mural showcases black and white depictions of mining, including the Mynydd Mawr Miners Lamp, with a vibrant Marsh Fritillary butterfly adding a splash of colour.

 

 

art mural

Revitalising Rural Town Centres

Discussions with high street business owners across all of the Ten towns led to the development of the Revitalising Rural Town centre fund to support high street business premises to refresh, enhance and add vibrancy to their shop frontages. High street premises received funding to enhance the exterior of their buildings, contributing to the improved appearance and vibrancy of the town.

 

Tackling Towns

Llandeilo Road was the focus of the Tackling Towns project in Cross Hands. The pavement areas in the lower part of Llandeilo Road, which were in a state of disrepair, were resurfaced. Additionally, the two bus stop areas on either side were enhanced to allow access for disabled users, with new bus shelters and small-scale planting introduced.

Sustainable Communities

This project will provide community support and friendship for parents and carers of young people living with autism. The funding will enable families to interact positively around multisensory activities and visits to local venues will be organised.

Professionals and specialist staff will be incorporated to share information and signpost to provision that can be accessed.

 

ARFOR Fund

Two businesses in Cross Hands have successfully secured funding from the Arfor programme. One business focused on future-proofing by gaining support for a Welsh-speaking staff member, enabling bilingual operations. As a result, 1.5 new jobs have been created, allowing the business to operate more effectively in both Welsh and English.

The other business received funding for new equipment, which supported the development of a new branch to address a gap in the local market. This support has created two new jobs, allowing the business to offer at-home and business repair services to customers.

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