SLIP BRIDGE FUTURE IN HANDS OF PLANNERS

Liz Perkins - 25 April 2005

Swansea's Slip Bridge may have its final resting place decided this week. The controversial plan to relocate the bridge to the foreshore cyclepath, opposite the Recreation Ground in Mumbles Road, has been recommended for approval.

Planners on Swansea Council will decide tomorrow whether the move should be rubber-stamped.

The bridge was moved to the Recreation Ground after reports it had badly deteriorated. 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.

Its fate was set to be decided through a public consultation, costing £35,000, but the results were inconclusive and the way the saga has been handled has even come to the attention of the local government ombudsman.

The local authority's director of environment has now submitted a scheme to relocate the bridge to the promenade.

A report into the scheme, said: "This application would normally be determined under delegated powers.

"However, having regard to the previous public opinion research with regard to the future of the Slip Bridge, the application is reported to this committee for determination.

"The Slip Bridge has been removed from its original location above Mumbles Road following concerns of the condition of its structure, and is temporarily being sited within the Recreation Ground.

"This proposal seeks to relocate and refurbish the Slip Bridge to a location along the promenade, opposite the Recreation Ground, to allow cyclists, pedestrians and the Land Train to travel between the spans of the bridge.

"The main issues to be considered relate to the visual impact of the relocated Slip Bridge to this prominent location adjacent to the listed Cenotaph structure, and its impact upon pedestrians and cyclists along the promenade.

"It is proposed to resite the Slip Bridge to a prominent location along the promenade, which consists of an elevated grassed embankment above Mumbles Road so the spans of the bridge would be visually apparent.

"The retention of the trees along the side of Mumbles Road would soften the visual impact of this view, and it is proposed to refurbish and paint the spans of the bridge in an appropriate colour to mitigate its visual impact."