Futuristic Swansea Slip Bridge design splits opinion on landmark's future
IT is an architect's vision for what could be built at Swansea's Slip Bridge site — and it is certainly generating plenty of interest.
The modern glass box structure projecting out over the beach from the St Helen's bridge abutments would offer stunning views of Swansea Bay — and its design is certainly generating plenty of view among Evening Post readers.
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An artist’s impression by architects Hyde and Hyde of what could happen to Swansea’s Slip Bridge
Since the idea appeared in the Post and on our website — www.thisissouthwales.co.uk — dozens of people have written to the paper and left messages on the site.
Thoughts so far have been mixed.
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One website user, going by the name of arnoldlane, wrote: "Cardiff has a beautiful shopping centre, Swansea is considering spending money on a bridge going nowhere. Swansea, hello we are living in the past."
Another user — Hadoken848 — said: "OK, it looks like one of those airport bridges, or one of those bridges over a motorway leading to a service station.
Not to mention it has as much artistic flair as the rest of the garbage Swansea produces.
"Oh look, another right angle four-sided structure in Swansea. How interesting!"
Adding: "Just put the old bridge back, this is a joke." A reader called hacker_jack described it as "ridiculous and expensive".
But the design does have its supporters.
One website user — gabbs101 — said: "I think the design is great, exactly what Swansea needs, would be nice to see something modern and well designed in this city, all people do is complain about, its too modern, its not in keeping with this and that.
"Every time this city gets a opportunity to build something new, why do we have to make it like it was built and designed a 100 years ago. Wouldn't surprise me if the council built a Tesco's on top the bridge."
The striking cantilevered structure was the brainchild of Swansea architects Hyde and Hyde, in collaboration with students from the University of Bath and the Welsh School of Architecture.
A spokeswoman for Hyde and Hyde said the project was designed to get people "reflecting on the beauty" of Swansea's historic structures.
She added: "It was also an opportunity for architectural students from Cardiff and Bath to work with a local progressive architectural practice and suggest new exciting ways in which the structures could be reused for the benefit of communities."
The Slip Bridge at St Helen's stood for almost 90 years before being removed in 2004 — prompting a storm of protest.
The 130 ton iron span now sits on the foreshore near the recreation ground, while the stone abutments remain on either side of Mumbles Road.
A long-running campaign has been calling for the bridge to be restored — or at least replaced with a replica.
postnews@swwmedia.co.uk
Comments
by StephenG11
Monday, July 09 2012, 3:39PM
“Kaiser_Macsen
You are absolutely right of course, which is a shame - I wish this Council did have some proposals.”
by Kaiser_Macsen
Monday, July 09 2012, 12:38PM
“jobaby0111
It's just an idea from a firm of architects.
There are no proposals from the Council.”
by jobaby0111
Monday, July 09 2012, 12:13PM
“Please spend money where it's needed!!! Why can't we move benefit offices and the like away from the High Street, and create a better first impression for people arriving on the train? The design of this bridge and the idea of it are ok (although I don't see how the view will differ greatly to that from the beach...), but surely money will be much better spent elsewhere first?! The old outdoor toilets at my kids' school are frankly unsanitary - perhaps they could do that first.”
by StephenG11
Monday, July 09 2012, 11:01AM
“hadoken 123
I guess it is all a matter of taste. Personally, I can see no reason why the old Slip Bridge can not be restored, safely. Leaving the carcass on the grass, with the bare stumps of the abittments, is just ridiculous.
This architects impression also has promise - let's have both: swansea nededs a good mix of modern and preservation of what is left of the old.
The Meridien Tower is rather graceful, in my opinion, though I can not see why it was squashed in exactly where it is, when Swansea's seafront has so much vacant space along it.”
by Hadoken123
Monday, July 09 2012, 12:51AM
“Philosoraptor
How can you say this is a good design, go on then, describe whats good about it?
It has nothing going for it what so ever and if you think it does then you probably have nothing going for you either as you obviously have such low standards.”
by AndyJenkins84
Sunday, July 08 2012, 11:28PM
“I still think it looks ugly.”
by Petert53
Sunday, July 08 2012, 6:12PM
“I'm sure there is no truth in the malicious rumour doing the rounds at the moment that the only reason the original bridge deck was removed and an application made to strike out the right of way over the road is because the view from the retirement flats built on the site of the Swansea Baths was not what thedevelopers wanted.
I suggest that there is little or even no chance of this structure being built. It will do nothing for the view from the flats, and the view from it will deteriorate over the years as wind blown sand will etch the glass.
It would of course provide a replacement for the public toilets that were demolished adjacent to the baths as people will doubtless use it as a public convenience, as they do with so many other structures in Swansea - such as MSCP's”
by GretaCarbo
Friday, July 06 2012, 6:16PM
“crickhowell
I'm sure that the current Labour administration would be pleased to state that the previous LibDem administration got it wrong.
Everyone
The design from the architects is purely an idea from the architects.
The Council does not appear to have asked for ideas/plans/proposals.”
by Philosoraptor
Friday, July 06 2012, 5:51PM
“Swonzee, I disagree with you about the tower. That is an example of good design, but I sense you would not have liked any design no matter how amazing it would have been nor how much it would benefit the city. What exactly is "monstrous and boring" about the Meridian and what exactly would not have been "monstrous and boring" in your own opinion?
I am really looking forward to your further input.”
by Marybell13
Friday, July 06 2012, 4:23PM
“Should never had mo
Yet another waste of money, there was nothing wrong with the old bridge.”