SCHEME TO MOVE LANDMARK BRIDGE ONE STEP CLOSER

Nino Williams - 30 March 2005

Moves to give Swansea's landmark Slip Bridge a new home are a step closer today. Plans to move the bridge have now been submitted to Swansea Council.

The proposal for the cast iron structure, which has been sitting next to St Helen's rugby ground for the past year, would see it moved across the road to the promenade cyclepath.The bridge's future was decided last month, more than a year after a report revealed its condition had deteriorated badly.

A £35,000 public consultation launched last October failed to find a clear consensus on what to do with it, so the cabinet decided to move it to the new spot on Swansea Bay.

Uncertainty surrounding the bridge, which is nearly 100 years old, was finally resolved when councillors agreed to relocate it to a new home alongside the cycle path opposite the rugby ground.

The move is expected to cost £100,000.

The planning application for the transfer across Oystermouth Road from its temporary home on the rec has now been received by the authority.

The move comes after months of concerned speculation about the future of the old bridge.

Campaigners trying to save the structure at its original location, including members of Swansea Civic Society, have had to concede defeat.

The council insists it was impossible to return the bridge to its original home spanning Oystermouth Road because disabled people would have been unable to use it.

Councillor Gerald Clement, cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: "There will be elements that wouldn't be satisfied apart from the restoration of the bridge in its original place.

"What we have come up with will satisfy most people.

"Had we put the bridge back in its own place, we have would have been going contrary to disabled access provision that we should comply with.

"Now all people will be able to use the bridge and enjoy the architecture within it.

"This is something to be used by everyone."

ARCHES COULD BE KEPT AS VIEWPOINT

Chris Davies - 21 March 2005

Part of Swansea's land- mark Slip Bridge structure could be saved, the Post can reveal today. Council bosses are looking at retaining the abutments which supported the Oystermouth Road bridge.

They could be used for a cafe, toilets and a viewing platform.

The Post has seen the council's file on the Slip Bridge under Freedom of Information legislation.

It revealed that the authority is looking at making the most of the abutments.

Councillor Chris Holley, the leader of the council, confirmed the plans to the Post and said the proposals could pave the way for that part of Swansea Bay to get Blue Flag status.

He said: "We are pushing forward with it."There is a requirement for water and toilets on the beach so what Councillor John Hague and his environment department have done is they are going to convert the abutment near the sea and put toilets in the two arches and make water available and on top make it a viewing platform.

"Underneath the other platform we are hoping to get somebody in to open up something like an ice cream shop.

"It could be marvellous."

City leaders have decided to relocate the bridge itself and incorporate it into the cycle path opposite St Helen's.

It has been sitting on the nearby recreation ground since being removed from its abutments last year.

The Post revealed it had deteriorated badly and would need a massive amount of money spent on it to return it to glory.

A public consultation on the bridge's future failed to deliver an overwhelming consensus on what to do with it so the option of relocating it was agreed.

Calls for it to be moved to Blackpill as a pedestrian and cycle crossing were dismissed as they would cost just as much as the restoration which was estimated at costing £690,000 with a maintenance cost of £250,000 over 10 to 15 years.

A report on the future of the bridge's abutments said: "It is proposed that these would remain in place with possibly beachside toilet facilities located in the seaward support areas and a small cafe or similar located in the opposite support.

"The beachside support could be adapted to be a lookout post or observation vantage point."

THE WORST OF ALL WORLDS

25 March 2005

When I read your latest report about the council's plans for the historic Slip Bridge (March 21) I had the distinct feeling that I had fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice.

So now the council proposes to retain the buttresses which would incorporate toilet facilities and a cafe, and would also provide a viewing platform. The steel span itself will be relocated along the cycle path. Which world are the councillors living in?

There is clearly huge public support for the complete renovation and restoration of the bridge and if this can include public facilities, so much the better. If the council is not prepared to conserve this piece of Swansea's heritage, the steelwork should be sold for scrap and the buttresses should be cleared away completely. The council should then cut its losses as there has been a shameful waste of public money in this endless saga.

The proposals outlined in your report are the worst of all options.

Mike Stroud
Gabalfa Road
Sketty
Swansea

SAGA OVER SLIP BRIDGE

18 March 2005

There's been quite a saga about the Slip Bridge but I cannot see people using it - climbing all the steps when, a few yards away, one can just walk across the road. Secondly, ugly stonework that supported it hides the lovely view across the bay. The seafront land train is just fine, and how lovely it is to see so many walking or cycling along the front.

J Beynon
Huntingdon Close
West Cross
Swansea

SAM'S IDEA OFFERS HOPE

17 March 2005

I Was encouraged to read of Swansea DJ Plastic Sam's plans for the Slip Bridge (Post, March 10). They would enhance the seafront and it would be an excellent idea to link it to the land train route. I note the article states that public consultation failed to find a clear consensus on what to do with the Slip Bridge.

However, in the interests of openness and accountability, I would urge the council to publish the results of the consultation, and confirm they have been verified independently.

No election or referendum would end up being called inconclusive, even if it is close, just ask Al Gore. On that point, I do not recall one of the options being to relocate the bridge on the bay, it is like a candidate being elected who was not actually on the ballot paper.

Anyway, I would like to say well done, Plastic Sam, and all the best with your proposals.

Richard Teulon
Spring Terrace
Sandfields
Swansea

DJ AIMS TO GIVE BRIDGE NEW LIFE

Chris Davies - 10 March 2005

A Swansea entertainer is making a last ditch bid to save the landmark Slip Bridge. Radio DJ Plastic Sam has come up with a plan to justify restoring the old bridge to its former glory by developing a new cafe and restaurant alongside the stone abutments.

He has produced artists' impressions of how his proposal could look.

Swansea Council has decided to relocate the bridge and use it as part of the cycle path opposite St Helen's.But Plastic Sam says renovating the bridge would be a catalyst for developing the Swansea side of the popular bay which is underused compared to its Blackpill and Mumbles cousins.

He said: "Maybe no-one was far-sighted enough to think of an obvious option of what to do with the bridge. Seeing as the main point for scrapping the bridge is because it doesn't go anywhere, this is what I suggest.

"Our city planners have now decided to spend money on developing the prom towards the Slip.

"So what better idea could there be for giving the city end of this magnificent bay the fitting tribute of a terminus for the soon to be extended land train?"

The bridge's future was decided last month, more than a year after a report revealed its condition had deteriorated badly.

A £35,000 public consultation launched last October failed to find a clear consensus on what to do with it, so the cabinet decided to move it to the new spot on Swansea Bay.

Plastic Sam says developing the bridge would link up with the council's new plans to turn County Hall into a better-used public building and to bring more investment to the area.

He now plans to meet city leaders and outline his proposals.

"When the city council realised there was not enough in the coffers to save Wind Street from decay they soon found a line of investors ready to foot the bill. Surely we can save another piece of Swansea's heritage," he said.

"I'm throwing down the gauntlet to the council."

RESTORE IT, OR SCRAP IT

10 March 2005

I am deeply saddened to learn of the council's decision concerning plans for Swansea's Slip Bridge. They have decided to scrap the bridge, despite a majority being in favour of its restoration. Certainly a majority, from the letters on the subject published in this newspaper, which indicate that most Swansea residents want the bridge put back.

The Slip Bridge has been a (practical) part of Swansea for 90 years, and is rightly regarded as a part of our history.

The bridge consists of three parts, two stone abutments and the metal centre span. To save the metal centre span only and remove the abutments is a total waste of time and money, and the "bridge" will have gone. To save one part of the bridge only is a compromise to appease a few of the bridge dissenters and to save money, they say.

Strange this, when millions of pounds are suddenly available for a restored leisure centre.I remember back in 1960 when a previous council in Swansea was given an opportunity to preserve one of the famous Mumbles trains on that system's closure. They chose not to, and today we have just the cab of a tram on display in the museum.

Imagine the sight a complete tram on display would have made. Now this present council, having learned nothing from the past, wants to save a bit of the bridge.We have heard the smug comments of the previous Labour- led council on how they had the money to repair the bridge, and could have done the repairs in situ. Why didn't they?

Now the new council, having wasted thousands of pounds trying to reach a decision, wants to stick a large piece of metal on the promenade where it will serve no purpose at all!

They should put the bridge back in its original place or complete the destruction they have started.

Keith J Roberts
The Causeway
Skewen
Neath

TELL ME WHO IS TO BLAME

05 March 2005

The citizens of Swansea require a response from the council to the many questions people have asked on the Slip Bridge issue. The main question is, who are the people responsible for clandestinely authorising, not only the demolition of the toilets, but the desecration of this part of St Helen's as a whole without consulting the ratepayers first?

These individuals should give their reasons and be held accountable for their actions for they have not conducted themselves in a manner that befits their office.

E Ford
Middle Road
Gendros
Swansea

GET RID OF SLIP BRIDGE

01 March 2005

I Refer to the comments made by Tourism Swansea chairman Geoff Haden (Post, February 11) when he stated that the Swansea area has an awful lot of things going for it. If rumours are correct, the area will have another awful thing going for it if the council place a rusting metal monstrosity over a gap in the foreshore pathway.

For heaven's sake, council officers, have the courage to get rid of the Slip Bridge from the bay area.

P L Davies
Southlands Drive
West Cross
Swansea