PETITION TO SAVE BRIDGE ABUTMENTS

14 November 2005

Four thousand people have signed a petition calling for Swansea's Slip Bridge abutments to be saved, it has emerged. The landmark structure was taken down in March 2004, amid a huge furore. It now stands on a new foreshore site close to the St Helen's rugby and cricket ground.

A decision on what is to happen to its remaining parts on either side of Mumbles Road has still to be taken. However, a campaign group says it wants to see them saved for posterity.

Organiser, local DJ and entertainer Plastic Sam said it was recognised it was now too late to have the original bridge reinstated, but said he hoped the stone abutments could be used with a replica crossing.

He said: "We are not just being Victor Meldrews about the bridge. We would have liked to see it go back, but that probably isn't going to be possible.

"It has been buried on the cycle track and the cost of digging it up and replacing it would probably be prohibitive.

"We don't want people to think we are just making trouble. But we think the area could really benefit from some development there.

"Putting a replica bridge there could be the catalyst for investment on the beach side of Mumbles Road. Personally I'd like to see a cafe there.

"We think the issue needs to be raised by the council with private companies."

The group already has around 4,000 signatures on a petition calling for the abutments to be saved and a crossing replaced.

Eddie Ford is another hoping to persuade the council to look at the Slip Bridge site again. He said: "We are not happy with the way the council has gone about it at all.

"We are not politically motivated, we just want to see the Slip Bridge back in place.

"I was born and bred in Swansea, I'm a real Swansea Jack. I want to see the city's heritage and history saved."

Swansea Council has said that the area is part of seafront redevelopment plans, although no decisions have been made yet.

A spokesman added today: "The council will be bringing forward proposals regarding the future of the abutments in due course."