Bright idea lights way along Swansea park's path
STUDENTS lit up a Swansea park with glow sticks after it was plunged into darkness.
Swansea University's Students' Union has been fighting to get new lights in Singleton Park for two decades.
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Glow sticks light up a path in Singleton Park
The footpath through the park is a well-used route to and from the seafront campus for staff and students.
Work began on Monday to replace the lamps with new LEDs, but the project was brought to a halt when a faulty underground cable was discovered.
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So members of the Students' Union planted the glow sticks along the route on Tuesday night.
The union's women's officer Becki Warrillow said: "Last year's women's officer Ellen Jones lobbied the council and the uni for new lights to be fitted.
"She, along with others, won that battle. They were going to install LED lights because they give a brighter glow, but unfortunately since Thursday evening the lights along the path from the uni to the (Langland Terrace) Spar have been out all together.
"It's a safety issue and people can't see where they're going so we decided to put out glow sticks to light the way.
"But we don't know if we will be able to do it again. They are not cheap and if the lights are out for weeks, the Students' Union won't be able to afford it."
The glow sticks prompted a big response on micro-blogging site Twitter. Students posted photos of the glow sticks along the path calling on Swansea Council and the university to sort out the problem.
Miss Warrillow added that all the glow sticks were collected yesterday morning.
She also said no-one had been able to tell them when the cable problem would be fixed.
A university spokesman said: "We're aware of students' concerns over lighting along the footpath between the campus and Brynmill Lane.
''Although the park is owned by Swansea Council, the lighting was installed and maintained by the University. The university has rec- ently contracted Swansea Council to upgrade these lights following discussions with the Students' Union.
"Swansea Council began work last week, but discovered a fault, which meant work had to cease for safety reasons. university contractors are currently investigating the fault to allow the works to continue as quickly as possible."
11 Comments
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by Spideyjonesy
Friday, February 22 2013, 3:03PM
“once again the lib/tory alliance lets the students down, poor show by this mob”
by chelsea1955
Thursday, February 21 2013, 7:31PM
“buy a torch”
by rees91
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:24PM
“You can really see who the Labour Party members are here and their sheer narrow minds when it comes to solving problems - just blame others. Given the lights are owned by the university, and are currently being FIXED anyway I don't see the need to get party political.”
by muld00ns
Thursday, February 21 2013, 2:05PM
“I don't personally think these lights should be there for just STUDENTS! The general public use the park as well!
I was walking my parents dog around 7pm the other week, while my dad was in hospital. I couldn't go out any earlier. It was pitch black and had to use a torch to see my way round Brynmill and Singleton park.
So, before you guys keep harping on about the students safety what about everyone else's safety?!”
by beano12345
Thursday, February 21 2013, 12:36PM
“Its nice to see left over fuel from nuclear weapons being put to such good use, Tritium,
used to boost atomic bombs half life of 12 years that's why our nuclear weapons need to be stockpiled and maintained.”
by SwanseaSam
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:49AM
“I thought we had a Labour Council and a Labour Welsh Assembly - can't see how Tory/Lib at Westminster can be held responsible for street lighting in Singleton? Has anyone heard of torches? Students could use those until the lights are fixed.”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:25AM
“12 months is long enough to bang up a few lights, typical lib/tory excuses it's never their fault always the people before.
Get up of your back sides and do something about it , the easy answer is to vote these people out at the next election”
by siarad2
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:13AM
“What are you guys on about 'installed & maintained by the Uni.' where do politicians come into it.”
by beccataylor
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:11AM
“Firstly, this is an issue that has been ongoing since the mid-90s, the problem isn't this administration (which is Labour by the way) specifically, it's been a problem with many a councillor through the years. The University and the Council have always debated who owns the land, and while I'm sure the SU would love to have that kind of money, I'm not convinced it's floating around spare, especially as it wouldn't buy them the land and they couldn't guarantee upkeep.
The fact is, an agreement was come to with the SU, the University and the Council, to install these LED lights along the path and resolve this issue. Good on the SU for not letting Councillors use the quick turnaround of students as an excuse for not holding to promises.”
by Spideyjonesy
Thursday, February 21 2013, 10:46AM
“Totally agree the lib-con won;t spend any money on anything to joe public , but here's novel idea whey don;t the student union chip in to help fund the path to keep their members safe. Better still hold a gig in sin city and put the proccedes towards it. I maybe in my 70's now but i still like a good old bop , get some local bands on down there and lets make a party of it.
Don;t forget some rock n roll for us oldies”