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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Robert Dalling

What the return of Swansea's slip bridge could look like

This is what Swansea's historic slip bridge could look like on its return, as a campaign group lobbying for it to be reinstated has revealed a "major step forward" has been made.

Chairman of the Friends of Swansea Slip Bridge, John Ashley, told WalesOnline there was "finally light at the end of the bridge" as significant progress was being made following discussions for external funding, and a productive meeting with Swansea Council, which maintains a capital sum of £139,000 to help facilitate future plans.

It follows 17 years of campaigning by the group, which says it is "transforming from a pressure group into actually getting the job done."

READ MORE: Why Swansea has a bridge to nowhere

Mr Ashley said: "I had a meeting with Rob Stewart and Robert Francis-Davies two weeks ago and they were very firm in their support for the project.

"The £139,000 is actually left over from 2005 when the bridge was taken down. It was money which, at the time, was intended to pay for putting it back again, but it has been ringfenced in the council's account ever since. We have access to that and we are working with council officers to find funds for the rest of the project. There is quite a few irons in the fire there.

"This is very important for the Friends of the Slip Bridge because we're now transforming from being a pressure group, into actually getting the job done. That's where the support from the council has been so welcome. It is a very big step forward indeed. After all this time, 17 years, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel - or light at the end of the bridge, I suppose!"

Swansea's much lamented slip bridge spans Oystermouth Road in 1976 (South Wales Evening Post archives)
Another look at how the bridge could look in future (Powell Dobson Architects)
The chairman of a group calling for the return of the bridge said significant progress had been made (Powell Dobson Architects)

The Slip Bridge was built in 1915 when trains - and later trams - ran along the Oystermouth Road seafront. It helped people safely visit the beach. However, in 1960, the former South Wales Transport Company closed the railway so there was less need for the bridge.

Its arch-shaped span was relocated in 2005 following concerns for its condition.

The span remains a prominent feature nearby as part of the popular seafront cycle route.

A sketch shows how the project is being planned (Powell Dobson Architects)

Its original stone abutments remain and nearby lights-controlled crossings allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road safely.

The Friends of Swansea Slip Bridge plan includes a replica span in low-maintenance steel, a cafe and new sports facilities for beach visitors.

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart added: “We’re supportive of the group’s wish to reinstate the bridge and understand their view that it’s important to Swansea’s heritage. We’ve supported them in recent years as a source of guidance and we’ll support them actively as they work through initial phases of their plan and look for external funding.

“The city’s heritage is important to us as can be seen with our work with others to regenerate locations such as the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, the Palace Theatre building and the Albert Hall.”

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