The full temporary bus timetable for Monday’s six-week closure of Capel Ifan Road has been published — including when the new 195A shuttle runs and exactly when the 197 will call in Ponthenri.
The B4317 at Pontyberem shuts from Monday 20 July until 31 August, while Carmarthenshire Council installs permanent traffic signals on the embankment stretch that slipped and has been running on temporary lights.
No direct bus can run between Pontyberem and Ponthenri during the works — the change that caused most concern when the closure was announced, given how many residents rely on the link for the surgery, the pharmacy and the nearest post office.
But the published arrangements soften the blow: every affected village keeps a bus, and Ponthenri keeps a direct link to both Llanelli and Carmarthen.
Service 195 will run between Llanelli and Carmarthen at its usual times, but via Llannon instead of Ponthenri and Five Roads.
Service 197 will also keep its usual times — and will additionally call in Ponthenri seven times a day in each direction.
Buses from Carmarthen to Llanelli will stop in Ponthenri at 7.25am, 8.55am, 10.55am, 12.55pm, 2.55pm, 4.55pm and 6.46pm.
Buses from Llanelli to Carmarthen will call at 7.50am, 10.01am, 12.01pm, 2.01pm, 4.01pm, 6pm and 6.58pm.
The new temporary 195A, run by First Cymru, will operate Monday to Saturday between Llanelli and Ponthenri, via Five Roads and Pontiets.
It also provides connections in Pontiets with services covering Maengwynne, Five Roads and Cynheidre.
195A — Llanelli to Ponthenri
| Parc Trostre (shelter) | 09:15 | 11:15 | 13:15 | 15:15 | 17:15 | 18:30 |
| Llanelli bus station | 09:23 | 11:23 | 13:23 | 15:23 | 17:23 | 18:38 |
| Five Roads (square) | 09:34 | 11:34 | 13:30 | 15:30 | 17:30 | 18:45 |
| Pontiets (Gwendraeth) | 09:40 | 11:40 | 13:36 | 15:36 | 17:36 | 18:51 |
| Ponthenri (Heol y Pentre) | 09:44 | 11:44 | 13:40 | 15:40 | 17:40 | 18:55 |
195A — Ponthenri to Llanelli
| Ponthenri (Heol y Pentre) | 07:47 | 09:47 | 11:47 | 13:47 | 15:47 | 17:47 |
| Pontiets (Gwendraeth) | 07:51 | 09:50 | 11:50 | 13:50 | 15:50 | 17:50 |
| Five Roads (square) | 07:58 | 09:57 | 11:57 | 13:57 | 15:57 | 17:57 |
| Llanelli bus station | 08:10 | 10:09 | 12:09 | 14:09 | 16:09 | 18:08 |
| Parc Trostre (shelter) | 08:17 | 10:16 | 12:16 | 14:16 | 16:16 | 18:15 |
For drivers, the signed diversion runs via the B4306, B4309 and B4317, with access to properties maintained on foot and by vehicle throughout.
Local county councillor Alex Evans had pressed the council over how bus routes and timetables would be affected, after warning the closure would have a significant impact on people living nearby.
Residents had also raised concerns about back roads between Ponthenri, Meinciau and Pontyberem taking the strain, and about longer journeys for carers and commuters heading to Llanelli and Swansea.
The new signals are the permanent fix for the narrowed single-lane section south-west of the Heol y Parc junction, where the roadside embankment slipped.
The works are due to run until 31 August, with full details of the temporary services available from First Cymru.
