UNVEILED: NEW HOME OF THE SLIP CHRIS PEREGRINE

CHRIS PEREGRINE - 04 April 2005

This is what Swansea's much-loved old Slip Bridge could look like in its new home along the promenade cyclepath. An idea of how the new feature of Swansea Bay will look was today unveiled via a computer-generated graphic produced by the council.No date has yet been set for making it a reality but the plans have moved a step closer with the council submitting a planning application to itself to site the bridge along the cyclepath on the seafront.The famous bridge has spent the last year sitting in a temporary site on the recreation ground car park next to St Helen's.It was taken there after being removed from its original home over Oystermouth Road following concerns for the condition of the structure after nearly 100 years of service.A £35,000 public consultation exercise last October on what to do with it proved inconclusive, so the council cabinet decided on the new location.Anthony O'Sullivan, the authority's transport and engineering chief, said: "We have now submitted a planning application to install the bridge along the seafront."This is an exciting project which will give the bridge a new lease of life," he added."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."Meanwhile, the council is keen to find a good use for the abutments to the bridge.It is likely that the beachside abutment will be turned into modern toilet facilities, regarded as overdue by many who use the area.The cabinet will receive a presentation on the proposals shortly.A Swansea Civic Society spokesman said today: "The bridge proposal is not ideal."However, at least a visual presence of Swansea's past will have a prominent position on the prom.''