Council told to 'pull finger out' on High Street
SWANSEA Council should "pull its finger out" and clean-up High Street, a city MP has said.
But the council's leader has hit back saying it is already taking action.
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The city centre's High Street is known for anti-social behaviour, including drug-taking and drinking, and its empty business premises.
Now MP for Swansea West, Geraint Davies, whose offices are based in the street, has said more needs to be done to make the road more appealing to visitors by pulling down plants and trees which are growing out of derelict shops.
Mr Davies said: "I have held two public meetings with small retailers in the city centre, and they have all said Swansea should be an attractive place to shop and spend money.
"The council should pull its finger out and make sure it is an attractive place.
"High street is one of the main gateways to Swansea, it is something they could sort out immediately by pulling down these trees growing out of shops and giving the place a facelift," he said.
Mr Davies said that while he understood that the local authority had taken steps to address some of the problems in the street, cleaning up the road would have a big impact on the impression given to visitors in the city.
He said: "To be fair to the council they have made suggestions on how to spend money in the city centre, but the most obvious thing they can do is to clear away the trees and give the place a facelift.
"Swansea City are now in the Premier League, and many more people will be visiting our city.
"The first impression counts, and it would be a high-impact, low-cost, transforming action."
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said work was being done on a regular basis in the street to improve the experience for businesses and shoppers alike.
He said: "I think if the MP for Swansea West was to ask the local authority what was happening in the city centre, he wouldn't have made statements like this.
"A number of premises in High Street have applied for grants to do up their shop fronts.
"Many of the other businesses are currently still waiting for information about business rates, which I think he should be more concerned about.
"We have street clean-ups in the city centre on a regular basis. And in cooperation with the police, we are dealing with the people who use High Street for anti-social behaviour."
robert.goodman@swwmedia.co.uk
5 Comments
by vmonkeyman
Tuesday, September 27 2011, 10:53PM
“Talk! Talk! Talk! Action speaks louder than words.
Like most things talked about in Swansea, if its ever done its to late, outdated or not wanted? (The Tawe bridge, the Bendy Bus, Wind St, closing Princess Way)
If High St is ever developed where are people going to park? A carpark thats not safe, or on streets where traffic wardens will book you if your wheels have been stolen??
Before you develope the shops the city road layout needs to be sorted, it is to confusing and stopping shoppers coming into the City Centre.
I watched a car driving up the Kingsway the wrong way today?”
by immigrant1
Tuesday, September 27 2011, 6:09AM
“Europe doesn't have enough money to spend it on regenerating towns like Swansea. No-hope towns should be left to die. There's no point throwing good money after bad. Swansea is dead. Get over it and move on.”
by Sandson
Sunday, September 25 2011, 10:14AM
“Is it my imagination or could it be that Mr Davies been "photoshopped" onto a background image of High Street? Can't say that it's much of an improvement either way.”
by trunkles3
Sunday, September 25 2011, 2:00AM
“High Streets are dying across the country. What's the point in tidying up High Street, when there are hardly, if any, businesses prepared to open shops in that part of Swansea. It would be far better to concentrate the remaining shops in the central part of the city, and flatten all of the old buildings in High Street, before they fall down of their own accord.
Not that I expect the council to do anything sensible. Isn't it time for some lunatic councellor to revive the infamous tramline, they've not wasted any money on researching that for at least 5 years.”
by Gowerview
Saturday, September 24 2011, 9:47PM
“Whether it be this MP or leader Holley they're all pretty ineffective and sluggish and slowly but surely making Swansea city centre look third world.
Get a professional team of private urban regeneration experts in. Call it Swansea Urban PLC - have a local element to this company.
Put the council (Jack Straw ) regeneration team led by Phil Holmes & Phil Roberts on the spot -
1. What are Hammersons doing - where's the promised 21st century transformation of city centre?
2. No political petty squabbling from councilors or AM's.
3. It'll take hundreds of millions of European & Heritage money - Swansea needs landmark regeneration not just pressure washing the pavements. Swansea has a significant industrial heritage through copper - why aren't we seeking heritage status
4. Why do we have St Davids centre Swansea & Lower Oxfiord St & high St looking so forlorn,dirty and forgotten
Regeneration needs to be strong, ambitious giving Swansea a future. It lacks the wow factor and looks so disjointed now. An indoor ice rink, dedicated live music venue and a 21st cebtury city regeneration needs to be fast-tracked.
The finger pointing , childish MP's and councillors....wake up and stop the petty squabbling ...start singing off one song sheet and lets have some action . Give Swansea the optimism this unique waterfront city it deserves....think great city as it lacks the amenities of many TOWNS now”