NEW HOME FOR BRIDGE DESPITE SAFETY CONCERN

Ben Evans - 27 April 2005

A New home has been agreed for Swansea's historic Slip Bridge - despite safety fears. Yesterday, councillors voted in favour of a controversial plan to relocate the landmark to the foreshore cyclepath, opposite the Recreation Ground in Mumbles Road.

Despite unanimously backing the proposal, members admitted they were worried that children could easily clamber onto the structure and badly hurt themselves if they fell.

Councillors stopped short of a suggestion to place rubber safety flooring around the bridge.But they insisted that measures were taken to prevent possible accidents.

Councillor John Miles said he was also worried that the bridge would be more open to being damaged in its new spot.

He said: "My fear is that it will be another plaything for vandals. I'm also concerned about the health and safety element - it is more easily accessible to be climbed on by youngsters."

Planning officer David Gill admitted to councillors that he had also expressed his reservations about the safety of the new location.

He told them: "It is something which I raised when we looked at this application. Children will be drawn to it like a magnet."

But fencing will be put up to make it difficult for anyone to get on it and run along the top."

Councillor Roger Smith suggested surrounding the bridge with the rubber flooring found on children's playground but his colleagues dismissed the idea.

But Councillor Rob Speht said he believed the cyclepath location was safer than when the bridge spanned Oystermouth Road. He added: "It is much closer to the ground than where it was before and people could have just as easily climbed on it then."

The bridge was moved to the Recreation Ground more than a year ago, following a report which found its condition had deteriorated badly.

The intention then was to repair it and put it back. That suggestion was thrown into doubt when the cost of putting it back and maintaining it was revealed to be in excess of £1 million.

But a decision over its future was delayed following a £35,000 public consultation exercise which proved inconclusive.

The bridge had stood over Oystermouth Road for almost 100 years. The original abutments still stand.

The council has proposals to transform them into modern toilet facilities and a cafe kiosk.

The way the saga has been handled has even come to the attention of the local government ombudsman who contacted the authority earlier this month.Council bosses insist the relocation will be a success.

Anthony O'Sullivan, the authority's transport and engineering chief, said: "This is an exciting project which will give the bridge a new lease of life."

It will allow it to remain a prominent and striking feature of Swansea Bay."

The bridge will be preserved for walkers and cyclists and will also be used by the popular land train as part of its extended route."

A Swansea Civic Society spokesman added: "The bridge proposal is not ideal."

However, at least a visual presence of Swansea's past will have a prominent position on the prom."