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."

LIFELINE FOR SLIP BRIDGE

14 October 2005

It would seem possible that the Slip Bridge could be incorporated in the new lifeboat launching structure being planned by the lifeboat authorities. At least it would then be serving some useful purpose. It might not be an engineering possibility, but at least it's a thought.

R M Lewis, Highpool Lane, Newton, Swansea

MATURE TREE FACES AXE?

29 September 2005

Now that the Slip Bridge sits in its new and absolutely useless position, it's only a matter of time before the stonework is demolished, leaving no trace of the former well-loved landmark. This will afford the residents of the new prestige flats a pleasant sea view. But not quite! There is a large and mature tree in the line of sight.

How long will it be before the said tree is found to be diseased and requires felling?

Cynical? Me? Very!

Mike Aldron, Llangyfelach Road, Swansea

NEW APPEAL TO RESTORE SLIP BRIDGE LAUNCHED

23 September 2005

Campaigners are launching a fresh appeal to restore the popular Swansea Slip Bridge to its former glory. They say they do not want to see the giant bridge resurrected from its new home on the seafront, but are calling for a new structure to span the abutments that are still in place on Oystermouth Road.

The bridge was removed from its home after engineers revealed it had badly deteriorated.A consultation on what to do with the popular bridge failed to find a clear consensus.A relocation option was therefore approved.

Local DJ Plastic Sam and Gary Perkins are leading the rally and say that they have huge backing behind their Slip Bridge Support Group.

Sam said: "There are about 25 of us. We have kept it quiet, but now we are ready to establish where we are going."We have got a couple of thousand people who have signed up their support."

The campaigners will be in locations throughout the city tomorrow looking to collect more signatures.

Sam said that their campaign is more than just pie in the sky and that they are confident the cash is available to deliver a new bridge across the busy road.

He said funding could be found from grant sources and wants businesses like Corus to be brought on board.

He added: "We don't like it on the prom but it doesn't make sense to move it, we would want a replacement.

"The abutments are in good condition so they form an equal part of the Slip Bridge which is down the road partly buried.

"It is not the best option, but certainly worth fighting for."

A spokesman for the council said: "In its new home, the Slip Bridge is already becoming a popular feature on the promenade.

"The council will be bringing forward proposals of its own regarding the future of the abutments in due course."

RENAME THE SLIP BRIDGE

13 September 2005

It takes considerable time to explain to visiting friends and relatives the various manoeuvrings of our city fathers concerning the Slip Bridge. Dumped on the promenade as if by some massive hurricane, we should give permanent credit where it is due.

Hurricanes have names, so why not simply refer to the structure now adorning the promenade as Holley's Folly?

M Morgan, Bro Dirion, Dunvant, Swansea

DO BRIDGE JOB PROPERLY

6 September 2005

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Slip Bridge saga, it is now in its new foreshore home at a cost, I understand, in excess of £100,000. What a pity then that a few coppers could not be found for doing the job properly.

The ground on one side of it has been roughly seeded over with grass with a deep bed of gravel and stones still in situ from construction work. What a mess! If a job is worth doing . . . as they say.

Alice Jones, Mumbles Road, Swansea

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