Local politicians have slammed the UK government as Ammanford will lose out on additional funding despite the ongoing HS2 project.
Labour is refusing to give Wales the £4 billion it’s owed from consequential funding from the HS2 railway development in England.
As a result, Ammanford will struggle to receive the investment needed to build new schools, boost the economy, improve roads and public transport infrastructure.
Plaid Cymru MP for Carmarthen Ann Davies said: ‘It’s utterly scandalous that the UK Labour Government are blindly following the Tories in refusing to give Wales full funding from HS2, which could be used to build Wales’ public transport infrastructure and restore bus services in areas like the Amman Valley.
“It would also boost the local economy in towns like Ammanford, create jobs and attract new businesses and industries, bringing much-needed prosperity and opportunities for the community. As the Labour Welsh Government is failing to do so, Plaid Cymru will relentlessly press the UK Labour Government for Wales to get fair play.”
This comes after Carmarthenshire County Council announced their masterplan for Ammanford which includes building a new leisure centre.
Plaid Member for Ammanford, Cllr Colin Evans said: “Allocating Wales the money we’re owed would be a game changer. Under the present Welsh Government funding formula, it would mean Carmarthenshire getting an extra £240m.
“The plan to build a new school for Ammanford could be brought forward at pace. Having millions to pour into the town’s Masterplan would also speed up the process of transforming our town centre."
The county council were meant to build a new school in Pontamman a few years ago after purchasing the required land, but Cllr Glynog Davies revealed the project was halted due to increasing budget pressures and rising pupil numbers.
Fellow Plaid member for Ammanford, Cllr Deian Harries added: ‘The Labour Welsh Government consistently called on the previous Tory Government to give us our share, but now that Labour is in power in London, they’ve gone very quiet. We are still being robbed of the money we desperately need.
“It’s disgraceful that Carmarthenshire Labour councillors, who complain about lack of investment, are not fighting tooth and nail now to lobby their political masters in London to rectify this injustice which is utterly devastating to Wales.”
Under the Barnett Formula, Wales normally gets a percentage of money spent in England, and HS2 has cost an estimated £65 billion.
Despite Scotland getting £7 billion in consequential funding, Labour, like the previous Tory government have declined giving Wales anything.
However, Welsh Labour have hit back at Plaid Cymru’s criticism.
A Welsh Labour spokesperson said: "Only one week ago, we saw the largest ever funding settlement for Wales in the history of devolution, as a result of our two Labour governments working together.
“Welsh Labour is delivering for the people of Wales in difficult circumstances, and First Minister Eluned Morgan has focused the work of the Welsh Labour Government onto the priorities of the people of Wales."
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