South Wales Evening Post - 1 May 2007
A hugely controversial scheme to dig up part of Swansea's foreshore to make way for the city's new bendy buses is still on the cards, council chiefs have confirmed.
The idea provoked massive controversy when details first emerged late last year.
It had been thought the plan had been shelved.
But councillors have now been told it is still a possibility for a later phase of the project.
The scheme might mean digging up part of the popular foreshore area between Mayals Road and West Cross to allow the giant 60ft buses through.
A Swansea Council spokesman said the link was "still something the council would like to do as part of developing the Metro scheme".
But he added: "The section of the Swansea Metro from Singleton Hospital to Mumbles is dependent on further funding being secured."
It is thought other routes to link the two areas are also being looked at, although no details have yet been revealed.
Council group leader for improvement, Geoff Sheel, said: "The possibility of going through to Mumbles is the object of consultation.'' Figures released yesterday show the Metro bus project will cost £10.1 million.
The council's environment scrutiny board was told the price included a new Quadrant interchange for the bendy bus on its route from Morriston to Singleton Hospital.
Any extension to Mumbles is now being talked about by council officers as "a possible phase three".
Stage two, which is due to start in July, will take the route from County Hall towards the university, up Sketty Lane and into the hospital, through the university and back round.
It means there will be a loop at each end of the scheme - one at Morriston Hospital through Heol Maes Eglwys, and another at Singleton/the university.
Bosses say they want to ensure the bus is "fast, efficient and reliable" when it is launched onto Swansea's streets next year, with bus stops planned every 500 yards.
Each of the giant buses will carry more than 100 passengers.Top priority will be to make them as easy as possible to use and persuading people to use them instead of their cars.
But they are not without controversy, with some people questioning the amount of money being ploughed into the scheme.
One West Cross resident said feelings were still running high over any plan to dig up the foreshore to make way for the scheme.
She said: " I think it would be a step too far.
"Once it goes, it will be another piece of Swansea to disappear.''
