South Wales Evening Post - 6 February 2007
Swansea's Quadrant Bus Station could miss out on much-needed Assembly cash - putting the scheme on hold for another year.
The council is waiting to hear from the Assembly whether it has been successful in this year's bids for transport grant funding.
It has asked for around £15.5 million for a variety of schemes, including £5.75 million to begin the long-awaited redevelopment of a bus station more and more people are labelling tatty and third-rate.
The council is also hoping for £1.5 million for the Landore express bus route, £1.6 million for the new sidings bridge over Fabian Way, £4.5 million for the city centre second stage and Morriston leg of the bendy bus scheme and cash for other smaller projects.
The council's cabinet's head of transport, John Hague, is confident the city will get the money it needs.
But it has emerged that the bus station is not at the top of the priority list. Swansea Council ranks its bids to help the Assembly decide which ones should get the cash. But the authority has to put projects already started at the top of the pile.
That means a cash boost is expected for things such as the bendy bus scheme and the new park and ride bridge over Fabian Way - but that the Quadrant could be put on hold for another year.
Although the council has asked for £15.5 million, in recent years it has received an average of £6.9 million.
Opposition councillors are now calling for the council to make the Quadrant its priority.Darren Price, leader of the Plaid Cymru group, said Swansea had had a second-rate bus station for too long, and called on the Assembly to do the right thing.
He said: "It is important that the Labour Assembly minister, Swansea West AM Andrew Davies, recognises the importance of this scheme and approves the current grant application."If he were to refuse, it would mean Swansea would be left behind."
A council spokesman for Swansea Council said: "The council's number one priority for future projects is the redevelopment of the Quadrant Bus Station. Major improvement schemes that have commenced using transport grant funding are the main priority the following year when the grant application process is finalised."
Existing projects in progress include Fforestfach park and ride, the Sidings bridge over Fabian Way, Swansea Metro and improvements to junction 45 of the M4."
Councillor Hague said: "Last year the Welsh Assembly Government issued approximately £125 million for transport schemes throughout the length and breadth of Wales.
"For 2007, Swansea Council has applied for just over £15 million."As Wales's second city, I see no reason why Swansea cannot receive the entire amount applied for," he added."The council is continuing its efforts to develop innovative and sustainable transport schemes that residents and visitors to Swansea will benefit from."
Bus user Daniel Millbank, of Gorseinon, said the station was an eyesore.
He added: "I think the council needs to get its priorities in order."Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus. they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Your Views
I think that Daniel Millbank quoted in the article sums it all up very nicely when he says "Before embarking on high-profile schemes like the bendy bus, they should get the basics such as the bus station right."
Chris, Swansea
If the people who made this decision were forced to stand in this appalling excuse for a bus station 20 minutes every day then I bet their priorities would change. It is about time that the councillors in charge started living to their promises.
Bradley, Uplands
If the council do not make teh bus station a priority then they can hardly blame the Assembly if the cash is not forthcoming. What a shower.
Pat Bowen, Sandfields
I sit in front of my widow on a main bus route and have not seen a full bus, so why a bendy bus?.
Sandra Green, Morriston
I caught a bus yesterday for the first time in a year as they have rerouted away from the filthy bus station which I avoid at all costs. I went one stop and the fare was 75p.......I will be sticking to walking in future.
Liz, Swansea
I could not agree more with other comments. That bus station is an absolute disgrace and I fully sympathise with passengers that have to use it on a regular basis. Furthermore, if projects that are already in progress get priority funding, then the bus station is caught in a Catch 22 situation, because, according to the report, the project never gets off the ground because there is no funding, and funding is not prioritized because, well, the project has not got off the ground. I think there needs to be some change in policy (and logic) at County Hall if Swansea if ever going to see a new bus station.
Steve, Mayals
What is the matter with our council? When did they ever ask us about the priorities? After all, we pay their wages.
J. Williams, Hafod
I think it is disgraceful that the Council has not made the Quadrant bus station its top priority. No-one even wanted the bendy bus except the council. If they do not listen then they cannot expect to be in power for much longer.
Jason, Swansea
What is the point of having a bendy bus in Swansea if the Quadrant remains such a mess. It is ridiculous to think that the council see the Quadrant as a lower priority. This should be top of the list as it is unsightly and awful to walk through let alone be in to get a bus - or worse still for the tourists and visitors that may come to Swansea. When will the council ever listen to what the people want instead of doing things that will make Swansea the first or get them more recognition?
Claire, Swansea
