South Wales Evening Post - 24 June 2006
Swansea city centre was gridlocked yesterday as the new one-way system came into effect. Hundreds of drivers found themselves in traffic jams as they discovered their usual routes were now one-way only.
The changes had been well publicised beforehand and there were council traffic marshals in place to help drivers.
But many drivers still found themselves in long queues with their tempers fraying.
The changes are part of a £10 million revamp of city streets in preparation for the introduction of bendy buses in 2008.
The plan centres on The Kingsway becoming a one-way road.Council chiefs are hoping to encourage more people to use public transport.But many drivers said they were unhappy.
Bill Francis, of Fairwood Avenue in West Cross, who is disabled, said: "It was absolutely unbelievable, absolute chaos.
"I was driving around for an hour trying to get close to the library, but all the roads were blocked.
"In the end I had to go home.
"If this is their idea to drive cars off the road, then I'm sure it will work."
"I think this scheme will strike the final nail into the coffin of city centre traders."
Motorist Ian Reeves, of Uplands, said: "I was trapped in a side-street for 45 minutes.
"It was terrible. People were getting very hot and bothered.''
Peter Birch, chairman of Swansea's Independent Traders' Association, said: "I have had a lot of adverse reactions from customers.
"As businesses, we are desperately trying to attract people back to the city centre.
"There is no doubt that while this goes on, it's going to put people off.''
A council spokesman said he expected the problems to lessen as drivers become more aware of the new system.
He said yesterday: "It was busy first thing, but traffic was returning to normal through the day.
"Motorists are already getting used to the changes and will settle down to the new system over time.
"The council worked hard to try to minimise the delays for drivers.
"The use of traffic marshals was very successful."
The Kingsway redevelopment is the first phase of a scheme to prepare the city for bendy buses.
It has been turned into a one-way street, with two special bus lanes running down one side.One-way systems have also been introduced in Christina Street, Mansel Street, De La Beche Street, Alexandra Road, Pleasant Street and Orchard Street.
The spokesman said it had been well publicised, adding: "The council has been planning the new Swansea metro service for the past 18 months.
"When the work is complete, the city will boast one of Europe's newest and most efficient public transport systems. It will ease congestion and pollution in the city centre."
