PAINT SLIP UP WONT STOP CHILD CLIMBERS

18 July 2005 (Nino Williams)

Planners hoping to make a Swansea landmark childproof have slipped up, according to critics. They say children will still be able to scale the Slip Bridge, even though it is to be coated with anti-climb paint.

Swansea Council last week announced that the bridge - now in its new home opposite St Helen's - is to be coated with a special paint in a bid to prevent young people from potential injuries by climbing over it. The special paint is intended to make it virtually impossible to climb by remaining in a slippery gel form.

Signs are to be erected around the bridge warning people of the paint. But it has emerged that it will only be applied above two metres, to comply with manufacturers' and safety guidelines.

That would leave much of the bridge still available for youngsters to climb upon - at the risk of injury.

Chartered surveyor Gary Perkins said: "If the paint is only applied above adult head height, it means children will still be able to play upon the bridge.

"In fact, it could even become a challenge for them to prove they can climb upon it."I hope the council has a lot of insurance for potential claims.

"It just proves the whole project has been badly thought-out."

Mr Perkins also questioned how effective the paint would be when it becomes mixed with sand blown on to it.

But Swansea Council has hit back, saying the effect from sand will be negligible.

A council spokesman said: "The paint will prevent climbing where applied. It will not be affected unduly by sand. "There will be signs as appropriate, similar to the signs used at other locations where such paint is utilised.

"It would be logical to expect anti-climb paint to be applied to a structure like this as a safety precaution.

"The paint will only be on the upper surfaces, two metres above ground and over."It has not been painted yet. It will be in due course. The bridge is black to comply with planning consent."