Barriers installed on Kingsway

BARRIERS have been introduced on the central reservation of Swansea’s Kingsway.

Installation of the temporary barriers along the length of the city centre road comes ahead of the council’s Cabinet meeting on April 14 to consider further potential safety measures there.

The 1.2m-high barriers will act as a deterrent to people crossing the road in the wrong place and will encourage people to use designated crossing points instead.

The move comes as part of Swansea Council’s safety improvements proposals and builds on the 20mph speed limit introduced on Kingsway alongside extra signage for pedestrians.

Cabinet will also consider an urgent report on potential changes to the road layout on Kingsway as well as measures to prevent east-bound traffic on the road.

It will also look at what further safety measures can be introduced on top of those already proposed and make funding available to introduce changes as quickly as possible.

The proposed changes will also be forwarded to the Traffic Commissioner who has to agree changes to bus routes.

Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We are acting as quickly as we can to introduce the changes. The introduction of barriers along the central reservation are part of a package of further safety measures we are looking at. They will be there to deter people from crossing the road other than at recognised pedestrian crossing points.

But he added that further safety changes would follow as soon as possible. He said: “We are currently considering all options for further changes to support the redeveloped Kingsway area.

“It is important that the steps we take on the Kingsway do not create issues elsewhere in the city. We are taking the step of bringing forward funding so that any works can get underway as soon as possible.”