West Way plans shared with businesses

Swansea city centre businesses have the chance to learn about an imminent highway improvement scheme on West Way.

Drop-in sessions have been organised for businesses at the Grand Theatre’s first floor foyer area from 3pm to 6pm on both Wednesday March 16 and Thursday March 17.

The West Way improvement scheme will include better pedestrian crossings linking the Sandfields community with the city centre. A new road layout close to the City Bus Station will also be introduced to help improve bus movements and general traffic flows by reducing the amount of traffic light phasing. Landscaping plans will also see more greenery planted in the area.

Swansea Council is behind the scheme. Removal of bus shelters at the former ftr Metro stop has already started, but motorists will be notified well in advance of any works that require traffic management.

The scheme, expected to last until the autumn, will also include the introduction of a new traffic island to separate north and southbound traffic adjacent to the bus station. This is aimed at enabling easy access for buses entering and leaving the bus station.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “This scheme is important because it will improve traffic flows on West Way, introduce more greenery and generate better crossing links than ever before between the Sandfields community and the city centre. When complete, it will benefit many thousands of pedestrians, motorists and buses every month.

“The final scheme reflects a huge amount of consultation that’s already taken place with nearby residents. This has led to a number of changes from the original proposals to help meet people’s aspirations as far as possible.”

Some of the changes include the introduction of a right turn from Glamorgan Street at its junction with Oystermouth Road to enable westbound travel in the Mumbles direction, which isn’t currently possible. William Street will also be reopened on a six-month trial basis.

The overall scheme is being funded by the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places Swansea City Centre regeneration programme that was awarded in June, 2014.

Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) is a three-year programme (2014-2017) through which Swansea Council has been awarded more than £9 million to target key regeneration projects in the city centre.

A wider footway towards the waterfront could also be put in place on the redundant northbound ftr Metro track between Wellington Street and Oystermouth Road in future.

Visit www.swanseacitycentre.com/city-centre-improvements/westway for more information.