Multi-million pound high-rise upgrade nearing completion

Hundreds of Swansea people will soon be enjoying a better standard of living as a multi-million pound housing improvement scheme nears completion.

An £11.7m Swansea Council upgrade of two blocks of high-flats on Matthew Street is due to be finished this autumn.

The works include refurbishment of the outside of the buildings as well as the installation of new bathrooms and kitchens in 120 flats. Nine new units of accommodation are also being introduced on site as part of the scheme.

The project, funded by the council with annual contributions from the Welsh Government, started in December 2014. The council appointed Interserve to carry out the works.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “This project will help in our drive to reach the Welsh Housing Quality Standard and boost the quality of life enjoyed by hundreds of residents.

“Schemes like this will also make inroads into tackling poverty, which is one of our key objectives as a council.”

Cllr Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Next Generation Services, said: “Modern kitchen and bathroom facilities are absolutely vital to people’s quality of living.

“But as well as new facilities of this kind for residents to benefit from, the two blocks of flats at Matthew Street have also been comprehensively weather-proofed and new windows have been fitted, giving each flat at least a further 30 years of life.

“The before and after photos of these blocks of flats show the extent of the improvements that have been introduced as part of a major project that’s due for completion later this year.”

Other improvements include rewiring works, new roof coverings, new fire doors and new entrances to the buildings.

The council is also due to redecorate communal areas. Landscaping and drainage work is taking place outside the buildings, access roads are being resurfaced and new car parking spaces are being introduced.