Latest news with #SwanseaCouncil
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Politics
- Wales Online
Lack of parks in part of Swansea 'a disgrace' but things are set to change
Lack of parks in part of Swansea 'a disgrace' but things are set to change A councillor claimed money had been set aside for new parks years ago, but nothing had happened. Now it seems things are finally moving Cllr Sam Bennett by land off Langdon Road, SA1, where a play area has long been planned and will be built (Image: Sam Bennett ) A lack of play areas in Swansea's SA1 - described as a "disgrace" by one councillor - is being addressed. Two new parks are to be created at the former docklands area off Langdon Road. Between them they'll include a pump track for BMX and scooter riders, a basketball area, play equipment, green space, benches and seats, trees, hedgerows and wildflowers. Swansea Council said they would be built in the coming months and that some preparatory work had started. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Cllr Sam Bennett, who was elected to represent the waterfront area in 2022 for the first time, said £1 million had been put aside for three new parks years ago and that he had regularly sought updates from the council on behalf of residents in SA1. He said he'd been told work would start at various points from 2022 onwards but that nothing had happened. He said he was assured earlier this year that work would start this May, and that he hadn't seen any sign of it yet. "The situation with the parks in SA1 is simply a disgrace," said the Liberal Democrat councillor. "In the 2022 (council) elections Labour made a big fanfare they had the £1 million for the parks in an effort to persuade the residents of SA1 to vote for them. Three years down the line, and residents still do not have even one park." Article continues below Another view of the land off Langdon Road where one of two new parks will be created (Image: Richard Youle ) Labour council leader Rob Stewart responded by saying Cllr Bennett had been kept fully updated on the plans for two new parks and had indicated in previous meetings he was happy with the progress being made. Cllr Stewart said topsoil had been delivered in preparation for the coming work. "It's therefore disappointing to see the local councillor claim works are not underway," he said. "He knows council officers and the administration are working hard to deliver these as soon as possible." Cllr Stewart said more than £8 million had been spent upgrading or creating new play areas at around 60 sites in Swansea by the Labour-run authority - including the Amy Dillwyn Park by Swansea Building Society Arena - since the Covid pandemic. He said this was many more than in the previous two decades including when the Lib-Dems were in power. Land at the far end of Langdon Road, near the Ibis Hotel, where the second park in SA1 will be created (Image: Richard Youle ) The situation in SA1 goes back to 2018 when the council's planning committee approved a legal agreement with landowner, the Welsh Government, for the council to create three public spaces with a children's play area. Welsh ministers were to provide £1 million for the work. It is understood the council has had the money for around six years, although the pandemic put a stop to many projects. Two sites off Langdon Road are being taken forward for new parks. Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism, said soil for the new parks was being excavated and reused from places including Singleton Boating Lake. "We're confident that these great new places will be welcomed by residents of SA1 and that locals and visitors alike will work with us to keep the facilities in top shape for years to come," he said. Article continues below
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Big change to how people use taxis in Swansea put forward
Big change to how people use taxis in Swansea put forward It follows concerns about people being left stranded but taxi drivers, passengers and others are to be consulted before the changes are introduced Taxi drivers might have to carry card payment systems to provide easier payment for customers (Image: Richard Swingler ) A Welsh council is considering making it mandatory for taxi drivers to carry card payment equipment after concerns were raised that some passengers would be 'put at risk' through a cash only payment method. Swansea Council has launched a public consultation for taxi operators and the public about the introduction of new rules that would make it necessary for all taxi drivers to offer a card payment option to customers. It said the move came after 'concerns raised by the public' that passengers risked being 'stranded' if they were not carrying cash. The council added that though several taxi companies and individual drivers already used card readers or provided an option for people to pay via a smartphone app, there were several taxi drivers that provided cash only means of payment. This, it said, put people who didn't carry cash, relying on modern payment methods like google pay or contactless payments, at risk of being stranded as they could not pay their fare. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here There are 318 hackney carriages and 636 licensed private hire vehicles that are currently licensed by the city council. These figures exclude private hire vehicles. Article continues below The council will be consulting hackney carriage and private hire vehicle proprietors and drivers, representatives from the hackney carriage and private hire trades, Unite Union, representatives of equality groups and the public (through city council social media). The proposed rules are: The proprietor shall ensure that passengers are given the option to make payment for all journeys, via a debit card, credit card and contactless card payment. The proprietor shall ensure that all drivers of the vehicle are trained on how to use the card payment system and are aware that passengers must be able to have the option to make payment in this manner. Where a fault in the card payment system is identified, the proprietor must arrange repair/replacement within 48 hours. You can have your say through the Swansea council website by clicking here. David Hopkins, deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate service and performance, said: "As a council, we recognise that more and more people are using less cash these days to pay for services and are opting to use more modern methods such as contactless payment. "At the moment, there are no rules in place that state taxi drivers must carry card payment facilities as part of their licensing conditions. This can put some passengers at risk of being stranded if they only have card payment options and are not carrying cash." He added: "We are doing what we can to manage this issue at our busy city centre taxi ranks using our taxi marshals to identify passengers that are not carrying cash and require a taxi with card paying facilities. "These passengers are provided with a safe space to wait until a taxi is available. "We want to consult with taxi companies and individual licence holders to look at the benefits and implications of making it mandatory for proprietors of licensed vehicles to have card payment technology in their vehicles. We are also keen to hear from the public about the plans." Article continues below
Business News Wales
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Welsh Contractor to Lead Restoration of Historic Swansea Structures
A long-standing building and civil engineering company has been selected to help bring new life to three historic Swansea structures. South Wales-based Andrew Scott Ltd plans to start work on site this year in a Swansea Council scheme to transform the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses, and the V&S No.1 Locomotive shed. Over the coming few months, the company will lead on the final stages of design for the project, on the site of the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks. Andrew Scott – which dates back more than 150 years and has worked on a wide range of projects – was selected in a competitive tender process. Swansea schemes it has previously worked on include the construction of the new Gorseinon Primary School, the construction of Mumbles' Marks & Spencer Foodhall and the build and renovation of the city centre's grade two listed Alex Building for the University of Wales Trinity St David. They worked on Technium 1 and the Ethos Building in SA1. Council leader Rob Stewart said: 'We're delighted to have Andrew Scott on board for the exciting transformation of these copperworks buildings. 'It's a company with a track record in excellence and they'll do a great job on helping us to regenerate the Lower Swansea Valley. 'This is an exciting time for that area as we and others plan to invest tens of millions of pounds there. 'Our £1bn regeneration of Swansea continues at pace.' A planning application for a major outdoor leisure destination by world-class operator Skyline has been approved for land close to the engine sheds and on Kilvey Hill. Mark Bowen, managing director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said: 'As one of Wales's oldest independent construction companies, we're proud to be working alongside Swansea Council on the Lower Swansea Valley project to restore and transform key parts of the historic Hafod-Morfa Copperworks. 'As a Swansea-based company, we profoundly appreciate that this iconic site reflects the city's rich industrial heritage. 'By regenerating these significant buildings, we're helping to celebrate local identity, strengthen community ties, and ensure future generations can enjoy and learn from this unique part of Swansea's story.' The engine houses form an integral part of Swansea's industrial heritage. The council wants to bring them back into use to bring pleasure to thousands and new opportunities. The copperworks of past centuries were key to the growth of Swansea, playing a crucial role as major industry over around 300 years. The industry declined but some of its buildings and other structures remain. The plan now is to redevelop and restore buildings for new uses and to improve access to them. Andrew Scott will make the nearby V&S No.1 Locomotive Shed, a listed building that served the copperworks, safe and watertight. It's currently dilapidated. The engine houses – both listed buildings – will, in future, be suitable for a range of uses, including restaurants and cafes, exhibition-style space and shops. The council saved the two engine houses from ongoing decay several years ago. A new river pontoon was added nearby. The Musgrave structure, built around 1910, contains rare scheduled ancient monument the Musgrave Engine, the UK's only one of its kind remaining in its original location. In future, the engine's external elements will have a covered shelter to enable the machinery's future restoration and to help tell the story of local archaeology. The Vivian Engine House, built in 1860, will feature a mezzanine floor. A new building will link the two engine houses. There'll be an outdoor terrace area. Swansea Council is working on a series of schemes in the River Tawe corridor. The schemes are being funded with part of £20m funding from the UK Government's Levelling Up scheme.
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Wales Online
Police to crackdown on e-bike users in Swansea city centre who 'think law doesn't apply to them'
Police to crackdown on e-bike users in Swansea city centre who 'think law doesn't apply to them' The action comes after residents raised concerns about the 'irresponsible use' of e-bikes across city centre A general view of Swansea city centre (Image: John Myers ) Police in one of Wales' biggest cities has vowed to crack down on the anti-social use of e-bikes. Operation Lathyrus, a joint operation being carried out by South Wales Police, Swansea Council and Swansea BID, is set to get underway in June after residents raised concerns about the irresponsible use of e-bikes in Swansea city centre. The operation will consist of two phases: the education phase and the enforcement phase. In the first phase, all three authorities will collaborate 'to educate and provide guidance to riders regarding current law.' Following this, the enforcement phase will begin where repeat offenders who keep on breaking rules and causing more anti-social behaviour will be targeted. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Neighbourhood Inspector Andrew Hedley said: 'The increase in use of e-bikes and e-scooters has grown significantly over the past few years. Whilst many people adhere to the law when operating these, there remain a segment of people who think that the law does not apply to them. It is these who then cause anti-social behaviour and fear to those persons going about their daily routines.' He added: 'The operation sets out to educate riders in relation to the law and advise them of their actions. Anti-social use of these e-bikes and e-scooters will not be tolerated and those continuing to break the law will be dealt with more robustly. 'We take all forms of anti-social behaviour seriously, and work closely with our partner agencies to tackle and prevent this, responding to the concerns raised by those affected.' At the start of this month, WalesOnline reported how electric motorbike riders caused damage to fields used by Swansea Footgolf in Blackpill, racking up thousands of pounds of damage. The business owners said this was a regular occurrence at the field and had caused them up to £10,000 worth of damage over the years. Speaking of the damage, co-owner of Swansea Footgolf Rhydian Thomas, 57, had told WalesOnline: 'When the electric bikes and the Sur-Ron bikes came, last week, they came at 10 past seven one evening on a Monday, headed towards Mumbles and then they came back just before quarter past nine, spent four or five minutes ramping on the course wreaking havoc. 'They created a trench which was 15ft long and about a foot deep, on our 17th fairway. They then decided to go over our first green multiple times. So again that has had to be moved, the holes had to move from that one.' Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's cabinet member for investment, tourism, events and regeneration, said: 'We all want a city centre that's welcoming for everyone to visit and enjoy their shopping, visiting a restaurant, café or our award-winning indoor market. 'It isn't right that a small minority are spoiling it for the rest of us with their anti-social behaviour. That's why, alongside BID and South Wales Police, we'd urge e-bike users to follow the rules. We fully support the campaign which will help ensure the city centre is a place we can all enjoy safely.' Electric bikes can legally be used on roads and cycle paths as long they are complying with certain requirements. Those who ride electric bikes are expected to adhere to the same safety regulations that cyclists have to comply with. These regulations include wearing a properly fitting helmet, using lights and reflectors when riding at night or in low visibility conditions, and obeying traffic laws. Additionally, riding a bike on pavements leads to an an immediate £30 fixed penalty notice fine, which is charged under Schedule 3 and Section 51 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Andrew Douglas, Swansea BID manager, said: "Swansea city centre should be a safe and welcoming space for everyone, and we fully support Operation Lathyrus in helping to make that a reality. Article continues below 'The rise in illegal and unsafe e-bikes poses a real risk to pedestrians and undermines the positive experience we work hard to create for visitors, businesses, and residents alike.' He added: "This partnership between South Wales Police and Swansea Council is a proactive step toward reclaiming our streets for safe, enjoyable use, and we're proud to stand behind it, especially as it's something so important for our Swansea BID levy payers."
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
It only costs pennies but this is wreaking havoc on Wales' seals
It only costs pennies but this is wreaking havoc on Wales' seals Seals are facing a new threat from cheap plastic toy that can lead to a painful death (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Seals are a common sight across Welsh shorelines, especially in August and November, their breeding seasons. But a small plastic toy that can be bought for a few pennies has been threatening the lives of these marine animals, particularly their young. Plastic 'doughnut shaped flying rings.' a type of frisbee, threaten the marine animals so much that Swansea Council has now backed a voluntary ban on the toy, and campaigners are urging other councils to follow suit. The way these toys are made with a hollow centre means that they can often snare around curious pups' necks when the animals try to play with the ring. Once stuck, it is very hard to remove the rings from the seal's neck (Image: Seal Alliance UK ) Gareth Richards, 68, the Founder of Gower Seal Group, and Vice Chairman of the UK Seal Alliance Executive, said that once the ring gets stuck around the animal's neck, it is very hard to rescue the seals, and more often than not, they end up dead. 'Locally, we have the North Atlantic Grey Seal, which is globally rare,' Gareth explained. 'We have around about a third of the entire global population of Grey Seal that lives around the UK coastline and we've got a small percentage of that that visit us on Gower and Swansea.' Gareth said that because the seals already face threat from climate change and other disturbances,it is crucial that 'we look after them.' Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here He added: 'We've got this new threat, which is the flying rings, and the flying rings are imported into the UK in their thousands. They're sold very, very, cheaply in many outlets, not only in Swansea, but across the UK.' The retired policeman explained: 'They often get lost or discarded on beaches or near waterways and end up in the sea. Now to a curious seal, especially the younger seals, when they find these these flying rings floating in the sea, it's like a toy or like a play thing. 'In their natural curiosity They will start to put their heads through it and sort of bite it, etc.. What actually happens is, is that these rings go over their necks and get stuck fast. These rings cut deep into the seals' neck leading to their death (Image: Seal Alliance UK ) 'The more the seal tries to get out of it, the tighter it becomes. And then over the coming weeks or months it will start to cut into their skin, cause infection, and ultimately they die.' The seal group has started a national campaign 'Save Our Seals From Flying Rings', on May 26, which includes a petition calling upon the government to stop the import of these products. He explained how rescue organisations are powerless to help the affected seals. Gareth said: 'Most seals that become entangled whether it's in discarded fishing nets or ropes or all these particular rings, we can't actually rescue them because there are so many different challenges and difficulties. 'For example, geographically it might not be the right place to try an effective rescue. We've got to think of the safety of our of medics, our rescuers, and of course the safety for not only that particular seal, but also of the other seals that may well be in the vicinity all around as well. So it's a very small percentage of those that are fortunate to be rescued.' The devastating impact that these rings can have on the animals (Image: Seal Alliance UK ) Even for the seals that are rescued, the rehabilitation costs can reach up to thousands of pounds. Gareth explained: 'Those that are rescued, and these rings are cut off their necks, they'll go to various wildlife rehabilitation centres across the UK. For example, to the RSPCA, which is a charity. 'Then they will have many months of rehabilitation and it actually costs the RSPCA between 10 and 15,000 pounds to rehabilitate a seal that's been entangled in this way. Now, these flying rings actually cost a retailer as little as 33 pennies. So that equates that it costs the RSPCA nearly 46,000 times more than the initial cost of that flying ring to rehabilitate it.' Swansea Council has been working with the Gower Seal Group, local schools, and businesses in Gower to promote the ban after passing the notice of motion that aims to end the use of these rings close to wildlife in the coastline. So far, businesses in Gower like the Pitton Cross Caravan and Camping, Kennexstone Camping and Touring Park, and Surfside Café, Langland, Northway Garage, Bishopston have already stopped the sale of these flying rings. Additonallly, several national retail chains have aslo stopped the sale of these products. Gower Seal Group regularly visits schools in area to inform them about about seals and other marine life, and how they can support the effort. Andrew Stevens, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, at Swansea Council said: "We fully support what Gower Seal Group is doing to protect our seals. We are so lucky to have seals near many of our beaches in Swansea and Gower. "The vast majority of the many thousands of people who visit Gower every year treat the area, its wildlife and its coastline with respect. Along with the Gower Seal Group we are urging visitors to play their part to protect our seal population as well." Gareth regularly gives talks at shcools to raise awareness about the issue (Image: Seal Alliance UK ) Gareth said: 'We are very lucky here actually in Swansea. Swansea local authority last September, were the first local authority in Wales to actually put a voluntary ban because they voted unanimously at a full council to ban the sale and the purchase of these flying rings. 'Now from that, the Vale of Glamorgan council have also followed suit. They banned it a couple of weeks ago. I know for a fact there are a number of other councils as well.' He added: 'What I'm actually calling on is for all 22 unitary authorities in Wales to show some compassion really, and act so that these things are banned in their particular areas. 'Even council areas like Powys, which is landlocked, there are still shops that are selling them within landlocked areas, and people would bring them to the coast or bring them near waterways where they get lost and discarded.' Not just the flying rings, Gareth has also asked people to be give the seals space when they come on to the shores. He said: 'Seals spend around about 80% of their time at sea, and they have to haul out on rocky ledges or on sandy beaches to rest and digest their food, exactly like us going to bed in the evening. We need our sleep as well. 'These particular animals, if they are disturbed by humans… and they are disturbed by land, sea and air, because there's a particular problem with drones at the moment, being flown far too close to them, then what actually happens, it disturbs their rest pattern. 'They flush back into the sea, so they don't have the rest. They don't the time to digest their food. And what it actually does is is that it starts to erode away on their energy reserves.' Gareth also serves as the regional coordinator for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, and takes part in rescues (Image: Gareth Richards ) He adds that the seal group asks people to give seals space, and stay atleast a hundred meters away from a resting seal. Gareth continued: 'There's a thing which is called 'ghost gear'. That is discarded fishing net; 640,000 tonnes of this is actually discarded in our oceans every year. That is the equivalent of 55,000 double-decker buses being tossed into the ocean every year. 'These things sort of float or they would be down on the surface and any marine life, not just seals but cetaceans or dolphins, your whales, your porpoises and other fish as well do get entangled in this sort of ghost gear. So it is a huge problem.' Article continues below In an appeal he said: 'We ask people as well that when they walking along the beach, please don't discard any litter but if they do see any of this type of litter, then please pick it up and then dispose of it responsibly. 'I know, as a National Trust volunteer myself, we do regular beach cleans, and I know that certainly within Wales, there are lots of regular beach clean which are being held by keep Wales tidy, the marine conservation society as well. They organise beach cleanings. So please look at their websites and see where and when these beach cleans are taking place.'
