The digger moves in to the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed site
The mechanical excavator was needed to clear bushes, shrubs and undergrowth from the site as work continued to assess the area,
“It wasn’t the start of any proper work on site,” said Llanelli railway Goods Shed Trust secretary Richard Roper.
“It was, instead, some very practical work to find out more about what was lying underneath all the shrubs, brambles and other material.
“We were grateful for the cooperation of Network Rail to carry out the works - and we were also very grateful to Parker Plant Hire for lending us the digger.
“As we move forward with plans for the site, we were keen to get a better appraisal of the land around the site.
“Pulling the digger in allowed us to get a better appraisal of the old road, path and railway line structures, other pieces of platform and other outlying buildings.
“The site is a fascinating one to explore and the digger work enabled us to get a better understanding of what a complex operation the Shed railway station was in its hey-day.”
Meanwhile, work on grant applications for the project continues.
Applications for funding have been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Big Lottery Fund and the Screwfix Foundation.
Goods Shed project officer Robert Lloyd said: "The digger work was another important step for the charity as it allows us more opportunities to investigate the site and develop ideas for its future use.
"In addition to the main Goods Shed building, offices and canopy, there is a large area of land which can be developed for community use as part of the project.
"The Goods Shed is the largest independently organised project of its kind in the Llanelli area. It is estimated the project could take in the region of £3million to complete over a five-year-plus period.
"Since its inception, the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust has shown its commitment to stay in the project for the long haul.
"Projects of this scale take time, but there is a substantial amount of goodwill and enthusiasm for the project out there in the community of Llanelli.
"We are busy as a Goods Shed Trust working to gain grant funds and source cash from benefactors, businesses and individuals.
"This is an exciting project to breathe new life into a derelict historical building.
"The plans to bring the building back into community use include everything from creating arts and crafts venues, offices for start-up businesses and social enterprises.
"The overall vision sees the creation of a community hub, arts centre, workshops, offices, café and heritage centre – the key to it all being 'community'.
"This is no 'White Elephant' project. We aim to develop ideas and partnerships with the community that will see the Goods Shed used seven days a week. A project of this size and scale must be sustainable in the long term. Given the support of the local community and based on the great response we have already had in terms of ideas for the project the sustainability targets are very achievable."
The Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust project officer position is funded by Carmarthenshire County Council and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
Photos: Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust treasurer Martin Doe and Trust secretary Richard Roper inspect the works at the Shed site.
To get in touch with the Llanelli Railway Goods Shed Trust , contact the project officer -
Robert Lloyd
84 New Road
Llanellli
SA15 3DT
07777 683637
Email rlloydpr@btinternet.com
or LRGST secretary
Richard Roper on
07952 564342
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