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."