BUNGLING COUNCIL IN NEW SITE SLIP-UP

LEON WATSON - 20 June 2005

Swansea's historic Slip Bridge has suffered another slip-up after bungling council officers discovered that its proposed final resting place was too near the city's war memorial. The decaying structure was set to move from the Recreation Ground in Mumbles Road, where it was dumped to undergo repairs, to the promenade opposite.

But after the controversial relocation was rubber-stamped by councillors in April, it became clear there was a big bridge-shaped problem.

If the move went ahead as planned, the ageing footbridge, which stands covered in plastic sheeting, would disrupt one of Swansea's flagship summer sporting events.

Council officers realised the new location would cause a potential conflict at the finishing line of the annual Swansea Bay 10k Road Race and Fun Run.

It was also realised that this location would seriously overshadow the Cenotaph, South African War memorial and Swansea Jack memorial.

Now planners have been forced to lodge another planning application with Swansea Council to approve a new home for the bridge. If the proposals are agreed, it will now stand a little further along the promenade - 87 metres to be exact - to allow the memorials to be accessed.

Objections to the plan, due to looked at on Tuesday, have already been received saying the bridge is of no further use and should be scrapped.

Protesters also said the century-old grade two listed structure was ugly and would spoil views across the bay if it was put there.

Since the bridge was taken down from Oystermouth Road for safety reasons more than a year ago, its future has been uncertain. When it was moved to the Recreation Ground, the intention was initially to give it a much-needed revamp and put it back in place.

That suggestion was thrown into doubt when the cost of putting it back and maintaining it was revealed to be more than £1 million.

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