BRIDGE BID SCUPPERED BY TOILET DEMOLITION

Chris Davies - 22 February 2005

Swansea's landmark Slip Bridge failed to secure listed status because of the demolition of its adjacent toilet block, it was claimed today. Council leader Chris Holley has revealed that the removal of the public conveniences when it was situated in its original position on Oystermouth Road meant that it was not deemed significant enough by heritage body Cadw to gain listed status on its own.

The toilets were built in the 1920s, the same era as the Guildhall, and featured large marble urinals and mosaics.

They were demolished overnight as part of redevelopment work with the bridge following them in a move in March last year due to the need for heavy refurbishment.

It is claimed Cadw was unwilling to give the bridge alone listed status.

Eileen Walton, of Swansea's Civic Society, said: "It would have been nice if we could have got listed status for the bridge, but it was down to the removal of the toilets, and of the original signal box many years ago."It is easy now to say what should have been done in retrospect, but it is still a shame.

"It would have reflected the bridge as a symbol of the past and a piece of history.

"But we have at last got a decision on its future, and we must try to bring together the past with the present."

Last week the uncertainty surrounding the bridge was finally resolved when councillors agreed to relocate it on a new home alongside the cycle path opposite St Helen's ground at an expected cost of £100,000.

A planning application for the transfer across Oystermouth Road from its current home on the Recreation ground next to St Helen's will now be submitted.

The move comes after almost a year of speculation over its future.Swansea Civic Society has conceded defeat in that battle but is now focussing its energies elsewhere.

The group is now trying to locate a Victorian archway which was situated near to the Slip Bridge and was also removed.

"It was a large wrought-iron archway, which led towards the park.

"It dates back to the Victorian era, and it is things like this, and the bridge, that we must preserve to remember our past.

"So far we have had not have any success in finding out what happened to it."

The society has now asked the council to assist it in its search.