An iconic steel and wooden bridge which crosses Swansea’s River Tawe will be restored as part of a major transport improvement scheme in the city.
Swansea Council has been awarded £2.7 million from the Welsh Government annual transport grant settlement and will be ploughing the funding into a wide range of projects aimed at improving transport and road safety in the city.
£200k of the settlement has been allocated towards restoring the grade II listed Bascule Bridge, located near the Liberty Stadium.
Once restored, the bridge will be brought back into use as a cycleway and footpath, creating an important link on the National Cycle Network 43 and for local match-day connections to the Liberty Stadium.
£1.2m has also been provided to complete the next phase of the Morfa Distributor Road scheme which is in the process of being completed.
The 1.7km road is being constructed along the banks of the River Tawe near the Hafod Copperworks and will help relieve congestion along nearby Neath Road.
Mark Thomas Cabinet Member for Environment & Transportation, said: “The approval of the funding is vital to enable the Council to carry out a wide range of transport related schemes.
“The Morfa Distributor Road scheme is a major highway development which will help benefit local communities near to it.
“I’m delighted that we have been allocated funding that will help us continue to develop cycling provision across the city. It’s expected that major cities throughout Europe can provide sufficient cycle path infrastructure to make cycling a viable mode of transport as well as an enjoyable pastime.”
Schools in Llansamlet will also benefit from the approval of nearly £250k for a Safe Routes in Communities scheme.
Cllr Thomas added: “Enabling young children to walk to school safely is really important and that’s why the safe routes in communities funding is vital to create these safe environments.”
Nearly £380k is also available to carry out road safety improvements along Carmarthen Road.
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