An historic 112-year-old bridge in Swansea was lifted from its position over the River Tawe by a giant crane back in 2019, with plans to repair and restore it. But now, almost four years on, despite the iron span having been lovingly restored, it's still sat in the park and ride in Landore.
The bascule bridge was once a key piece of infrastructure in the then town of Swansea's world-leading copper industry, but needed repair after being fenced off from public access for decades. We previously reported how the landmark had been earmarked as a key heritage feature of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site, and the plan was for the 70-tonne steel structure to return to the same location in Landore again, once structural repairs, painting and investigations were complete.
It had once provided a vital rail link between the massive Morfa and Upper Bank metalworking sites. The main platform could be lifted using a system of handcranks to allow boats to access further upstream. But it fell into disuse with the demise of the copper industry, and in 1999 it was fenced off amidst safety concerns. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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With it now being gone for so long, people would be excused for wondering what exactly is happening with the old bridge and when we can expect to see it reinstalled? Many in the city, of course, still remember how the slip bridge was removed from its abutments either side of Oystermouth Road in 2005 for 'refurbishment and subsequent return', only to later be told the bridge would not be returning as it would be too expensive to do so.
Built in 1915 when trains - and later trams - ran along the Oystermouth Road seafront, it helped people safely visit the beach. Following its removal, it has been incorporated into the nearby seafront cycle route, but a group called the Friends of The Slip Bridge still harbour hopes of its return and have a plan they are pushing forward with.
However, Swansea Council has insisted it plans to see the bascule bridge brought back. A spokesman said: “The council is committed to re-installing the bridge as it’s an important element of our activity to regenerate the wider copperworks area that includes the new Penderyn Whisky attraction and the Lower Swansea Valley. The iron span has been beautifully restored by a Swansea business, Afon Engineering.
"We’re now giving careful consideration to the expert job of repairing and installing new timber trestles which will support the span over the river. We’ll keep the public informed as progress is made.”
