ONLY FIT FOR SCRAPHEAP

26 August 2005

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, how does Swansea Council react to this historic event? By vandalising the picturesque green avenue leading up to the cenotaph on the promenade, by cutting down mature trees and dumping on the path that ugly, black monolith known as the Slip Bridge.

This decaying heap should have been taken off to the scrapyard. It looks totally out of place at this location.

Perhaps the council should balance it all up by dumping a few scrap cars on the other side. Then the impression of a rubbish tip on the promenade would be complete.

Sion Thomas, Windmill Terrace, St Thomas, Swansea

BRIDGE IS BACK IN BUSINESS

19 August 2005

The latest chapter in the saga of Swansea's Slip Bridge was written yesterday when it officially took its place on the seafront cyclepath and walkway. Work has been going on for weeks to ensure everything was in order for its new home on the promenade.

And the all-clear was signalled by the first crossing of the Swansea Bay Rider land train.

The landmark bridge was controversially taken down from its original place over Mumbles Road after nearly 100 years following concerns about the condition of the structure.

The council's decision to safeguard it and install it on the seafront has brought mixed reaction.

But, blissfully unaware of the controversy, John and Barbara Pegler - on holiday from Southampton - had the honour of being the first passengers aboard the train as it crossed the bridge for the first time.

"We are very happy with it," said Barbara. "We walked from Swansea to Mumbles the day before and were very impressed with the seafront - there is the bay, it is green and there is plenty for children to do."

Swansea Council said the bridge's new home ensured it remained part of Swansea's history and would also play a part in its future.

MORE THAN JUST A SLIP

15 August 2005

I Have the misfortune to pass regularly the sight of the beautiful Slip Bridge being buried under the cycle path opposite St Helen's. Might I suggest that the Post has a collection for a tombstone with the inscription "Here lies Swansea heritage, killed by council neglect 2005".

K Hargreaves, Sketty, Swansea

SLIP SHUNTS LAND TRAIN OFF RAILS

15 August 2005

It is a case of as you were for Swansea's summer land train . . . This season the Swansea Bay Rider was to have tackled a longer route along the promenade than in previous years.

It used to just run ran from Blackpill to Southend Gardens, Mumbles but this year saw the route extended to St Helen's.

However, the Slip Bridge saga has had a knock-on effect on the plans, it has emerged. The bridge was controversially moved to the cycle path along the foreshore last month in a scheme costing council taxpayers around £120,000.

The work on it has brought it into direct conflict with the land train - it can't get past it.

"The normal route for the Swansea Bay Rider is currently reduced as a result of ongoing work to the newly installed Slip Bridge," said a council spokesman.

"These temporary measures have been well advertised along the seafront.

"Once the work has been completed, the rider will resume normal service."

But no timing was given on that. Work on it has still to be completed. The bridge had spanned Mumbles Road for almost 100 years before falling into disrepair.

But a decision to move it was taken last year after it was found massive restoration work would be needed if it was to stay where it was.

Foreshore walker Cliff Buck, of Gendros, said: "It looks as daft as ever."

OPEN GRAND VIEW OF BAY

9 August 2005

Now the Slip Bridge has reached its resting place, I wonder if the council could remove those ugly, useless abutments and open up a really grand view of the bay for residents and visitors? And could we do something with the stonework?

I would like to see a semi-circular bandstand with steps all round to the beach, with a few slides for the children.I

am sure families with three or four children, who can't afford bus fares every day in the holidays, would appreciate an alternative to Blackpill.

I would also like to see a replacement toilet block near the old site, and please not a squat, grey, windowless structure like the one in the Quadrant.

What about an innovative round structure with red bricks and a conical roof? Something we can look at and use with pride in the years ahead.

G Harris, Gwydr Crescent, Uplands, Swansea

BRIDGE IS A GREAT FARCE

8 August 2005

I Am sure that you continue to receive many letters of protest about the treatment meted out to the Slip Bridge by Swansea Council, but I must nevertheless add my own. Every day I pass the ludicrous sight on one of Swansea's most famous landmarks, left to look like wreckage that has been washed ashore following an exceptionally high tide.

I cannot begin to understand the thinking behind such a bizarre decision. Nor can I fathom how they thought that the majority of Swansea people would be happy with the result.

The only certainty involved is that we do not need another referendum to confirm that they have turned Swansea into a laughing stock.

Colin Rees, Overland Road, Mumbles, Swansea

SOUVENIRS A LUCRATIVE LINE

4 August 2005

Now that we are starting what is known in the media as the silly season, I would like to suggest a couple of ideas for recouping the expense of re-siting the ugly/lovely Slip Bridge.

Cut the bridge into souvenir-sized slices (preferably before the sticky paint goes on). Display them in a see-through container together with a photograph of the original and a potted history. They would sell like hot cakes to all lovers of the structure. How could they resist owning such a piece of memorabilia at, say, £20 a piece?

Organise a mammoth auction to sell off, stone by stone, the abutments. Again, the lovers of the bridge would flock in their thousands to add a little piece of history to their garden rockeries.If the right spin doctor was appointed, who knows, the scheme might even make money.

Pat Richards, Bendrick Drive, Southgate, Swansea