Inquiry into decision on Swansea Slip Bridge
THE long-running saga of Swansea's Slip Bridge has taken a new twist — with a public inquiry.
Assembly planning inspectors have decided to hold a two-day hearing into the council decision to axe the public right of way which still legally exists at the St Helen's site.
-
An inquiry is to be held into the removal of the Slip Bridge.
Campaigners calling for the return of the bridge have welcomed the move as a chance for the people of Swansea to have their voices heard.
Though the bridge was removed from its stone abutments in 2004, a right of way still exists at the point where it once spanned the road.
The council's plan to issue an extinguishment order for the legal right of way attracted a stream of opponents last year, from residents to national groups such as the Open Society.
That council order will now be the subject of a public inquiry in June.
A spokeswoman for the Slip Bridge Campaign Society said: "We are making headway with this issue, and this inquiry will give the public the right to be heard.
"We just want our bridge back."
The Slip Bridge was built in 1915 to provide a crossing over the road, the main train line from Swansea to Shrewsbury and the famous Mumbles Railway.
However, the 130-tonne iron walkway was removed in 2004 following safety concerns, leaving its stone abutments in place.
At the time the council estimated the cost of repairing it at around £350,000.
The span languished in the recreation ground for more than a year before being relocated to its present position on the seafront promenade.
A campaign calling for the bridge to be returned to its original site — or replaced — has been running since.
The stone abutments remain a landmark, and are themselves the subject of a long-running dispute over their possible redevelopment.
The public inquiry is likely to be held on June 22.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "We have received notification of the dates for the public inquiry.
"Cabinet approved the decision to extinguish the right of way in April 2009. A safe and accessible ground level crossing point near to the Slip Bridge site provides suitable access for pedestrians."
17 Comments
View all
by Dr, Henry Evan Charles., The Slip.
Sunday, February 28 2010, 10:33AM
“CH,@ Sketty ?
Leading Campaigner's have all the appropriate paperwork !
A special thank's to both you, and all the many thousand's of Swansea People who have supported the Slipbridge Campaign ?
( A Public Enquiry on June 22nd , hopefully ) !”
by CH, Sketty Swansea
Saturday, February 27 2010, 11:38PM
“I would just like to remind people of the Evening Post front page published at the time of the removal of the bridge for restoration, it was a front page quoting the promise that the council made that the bridge would be replaced as soon as restorative measures had taken place. It may well be worth obtaining a copy of this front page to aid the campaign.”
by Austin, Morriston Swansea.
Saturday, February 27 2010, 11:19AM
“I am pleased that their will be a public inquirey into the slip bridge and that the contracts will be produced because of allegded allegations and if they are found to be true then the appropriate action taken. Also a full public investigation should be carried out against this council for miss managememt of the public purse because of the way we are closing schools ,public ameanities,ie the tennis courts, but I notice councillor Holley,and his fellow councillors are helping them selves to free tickets to the liberty stadium,grand theatre, and to the council owned box's and juants to europe why don't the people of Swansea ask the chief executive to come clean and give this information to the public,if not lets get rid of him.”
by Harry Webb, Summer Holidays at the Slip
Saturday, February 27 2010, 10:40AM
“Well done to the Evening Post for reminding everyone that it is NOT just the Schools,Tennis Centre,Social Services in Special measures...or the ignorance of Swansea people when it comes to understanding about Economics and their screaming and shouting at the Council's incompetence .The last Brain of Swansea utterance was to blame the fact that Brown and Darling are unable to control the Banks so therefore Swansea is deep in the mire of Debt and Cuts to services as a consequence.
The Slip Bridge was wrongly,unlawfully and inappropriately put on the Prom.The Evening post still hopes the Bridge should be rebuilt as part of a much needed and sought after development at the Slip..The Paper ,The Campaigners and the VOX POP of Swansea citizens now are agreed and of one opinion..PUT the Bridge Back ,only ..Messers Holley,May,Day et al-seem to hold a contrary view..-CAN YOU EXPLAIN Swansea Administration???”
by Mr, Observer., Ysgol Street.
Friday, February 26 2010, 11:41PM
“What an inconvenient time for the E- Post to bring up the Slipbridge issue at a cost cutting time ?.......... But we must remind ourselfs, it was this inept Administration that caused this self inflickted problem by not putting the bridge back in the first instance.
Yes I agree, the School's Nursing homes and other main issue's must be prioritised firstly, and yes, then sort out the Slipbridge when the time is right .”