South Wales Evening Post - 29 March 2006
The multi-million pound redevelopment of Swansea's tatty Quadrant bus station has had to be put on hold because of a lack of funds, it has emerged. It was hoped that work would begin on the scheme this summer. But it has now been revealed that redevelopment work will not get underway until February.
The project has been on the cards for over three years, but was held up because the council did not own a parcel of land needed for access to the station. That deal was completed last December and councillors granted planning permission for the scheme in February.
That paved the way for work to begin in July, replacing the much-criticised bus station with a modern alternative.But that is now on hold yet again.
Reena Owen, the council's director of environment, said: "Unfortunately, the transport grant we have received this year will not give us enough money for work to start in July.
"It is going to be put back until February. The bottom line is we are going to be starting work in February."
The council got less than half the amount it was expecting from the Assembly.
Mrs Owen said: "We put in a transport grant bid for £15 million and we actually got £6.4 million."
Mrs Owen said that she expected the money to be in place by the end of the year.
She said: "We have had talks with the Assembly and are confident that the grant will be available. We have had it in writing.
"We are not starting the work until February because it will take 15 months and we do not want to disrupt Christmas shopping for two years. The plan is to wait until the January sales have died down and then begin work so only Christmas 2007 is affected.
"We have spoken to traders in the Quadrant about it and that is the most acceptable solution."
When work does begin on the Quadrant, buses and coaches will use temporary stops along The Kingsway.
Council leader Chris Holley said: "It's unfortunate that there wasn't enough money available to do it all in one year.
"But the public can be reassured that we are going to provide a 21st Century bus station for Swansea."
Bus users said yesterday the hold-up was unwelcome.Passenger Adrian Fleming, of Gowerton, added: "It is a little bit cleaner than it once was, but it is still not a nice place to be.
"It is a pity everything is being held up again.''
Sue Walters, of Woodville Road, Mumbles, said: "I can't say I am surprised.
"The council keeps making promises about this project but nothing ever seems to happen.''
