South Wales Evening Post - 20 January 2007
A fight is being launched against controversial proposals to dig up parts of Swansea's stunning prom.
Council chiefs are looking at the possibility of tearing up part of the prom to create express lanes for high-speed buses, to help them avoid the heavy traffic that regularly clogs the busy coast road.
The idea has met fierce opposition from city residents, with many labelling the plans as vandalism.
They are unhappy at the prospect of losing any green space along Swansea Bay, an area hugely popular with residents and tourists.
Elaine Hughes, of Palmyra Court in West Cross, is hoping to put the brakes on the scheme, and has launched a petition against the plans.
They would see a new bus lane created, branching off from Mumbles Road at Blackpill, and running along the foreshore, eating into grassland parallel to the prom.
The buses would then rejoin Mumbles Road near the junction with Alderwood Road.Mrs Hughes, who is also standing as a Conservative candidate in the upcoming Mumbles Community Council by-election, said residents were overwhelmingly against the plans which had to be stopped.
She said: "I live just off the Mumbles Road in West Cross, and I think that we are very lucky to live in a city with such a beautiful bay.
"I cannot believe anyone would want to rip up the grass and trees and replace them with tarmac and bus lanes.
"The Liberal Alliance which runs Swansea Council will be held responsible for the wanton destruction of a unique resource if they go ahead with their ludicrous plans to run bendy buses along our prom."
The promenade plans are part of the controversial Metro scheme, due to be launched next year, which would introduce 60ft bendy buses to the city. They would run from Morriston Hospital to Mumbles, and are billed as a way of cutting congestion.
Major work has been carried out in the city centre creating a new one-way system which will help accommodate the new buses.
Further work is expected on West Way and its junction with The Kingsway, as well as work on the route in Morriston.Byron Davies, Welsh Conservative AM candidate for Gower, joined Mrs Hughes collecting petitions yesterday.
He said: "Building over the promenade, and running huge buses along it, will have a huge impact on the local environment and will erode the quality of life for residents."
