PLANS for a new road through the middle of one of Swansea's most important areas of industrial heritage have been given the green light.

The road will link the Liberty Stadium with New Cut Road in the city centre, and will open up a large area of riverside real estate for development.

Conservation groups had raised major concerns about the plans, which will drive a two-lane road through the old copperworking heart of Swansea.

But yesterday councillors voted to approve the scheme — while also calling for the history of the area to be preserved.

Morriston ward councillor Robert Francis Davies said: "This should be a World Heritage Site.

"When you look at what they've done in Ironbridge, we've got far more here in the lower Swansea Valley.

"Swansea is Swansea today because of Copperopolis — we must not forget our history." The new road is a key part of the ambitious Tawe Corridor regeneration plans.

Council chiefs eventually want to the see the Hafod side of the river from the city centre to the Liberty Stadium developed.

With plans for the road now in place, the council hopes private investors will come forward with projects — and cash.

However, the road will run through the middle of the former Hafod Copperworks site and its associated listed and scheduled structures including the Vivian chimney and engine works, the canteen and laboratories of the Yorkshire Imperial Metalworks, and Swansea canal with its locks, docks, bridges and walls.

A host of groups including the Swansea Canal Society, Cadw, and Glamorgan Gwent Archaeology Trust have raised their concerns.

Part of the route goes through the Bernard Hastie industrial site, off Hafod Road.

Yesterday councillors also approved an associated planning application for that site for 52 three-storey houses and 84 flats in five-storey blocks.

The developers will be expected to fund the section of the new road through the site, estimated to cost around £543,000.

Both John Newbury and Chris Holley said it was important to remember the conditions endured by workers in the metalworks, and those living nearby.

Councillor Newbury said: "My father worked there for 30 years. It was a damnable place to work, but it is still a major part of our industrial heritage.

"We do have to do as much as we can to save what we have — let us proceed with caution and protect what we can."

jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk