#cllr-andrew-stevens — Public Fediverse posts

SWANSEA: How padel went from two courts to a national series in three years

Three years ago padel in Swansea meant two outdoor courts beside a football pitch. This weekend Swansea hosts the opening event of a national series, with players from their twenties to their sixties competing in Llansamlet.

The UK Padel Masters Series opens at Jaxx Padel on Saturday and Sunday, the first of five events the organiser says will take it to venues in Wales, England, Scotland and Portugal before the finals in March. Men’s and women’s draws run in four age groups, Open, Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60, with an Over 70 category hoped for at later events.

Jaxx, on the old Press Glass site at Mill Stream Way in Llansamlet, has nine indoor courts and four outside, is open 6am to 11pm, and calls itself Wales’ largest indoor padel centre. It belongs to Swansea.com, the group behind Pure Swansea.

The group says it put the city’s first two courts in at the Pure Swansea ground in 2023 and added three more in July last year “due to demand”. By its own count that makes 18 courts across the two sites.

‘They don’t seem to be going away’

Padel is tennis crossed with squash: a court a third the size of a tennis court, walled in glass and mesh so the ball stays in play off the back, and a solid racket with no strings. It was invented in Acapulco in 1969 and reached Britain slowly, with about 15,000 players in 2019.

The Lawn Tennis Association counted around 860,000 last year. It now puts the number at more than 1.4 million, on 2,353 courts, and says 6,664 people have entered its competitions so far this year against 5,000 in the whole of 2025.

Swansea Council‘s tourism manager Steve Hopkins put it more plainly to councillors in April. When padel courts turned up in the council’s study of the bay foreshore, he said: “Dare I say it, padel courts, they don’t seem to be going away.”

Six at Parc Tawe, three in Mumbles, two in Neath

Pure Padel Clubs wants six indoor courts in the Ninja Warrior unit at Parc Tawe. Its application says its courts elsewhere are busy more than 90 per cent of the time, and that it struggled to find anywhere else in Swansea big enough.

Ninja Warrior’s owner, Burhill Group, says no final decision has been made and the centre is trading as normal.

Mumbles is next. The council has applied to build three courts on the old seafront tennis courts between the Oyster House and the bowling green, after a consultation in which it says most people asked for racquet sports, and padel most of all.

“Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and is attracting people of all ages because it’s fun, social and easy to learn,” cabinet member Cllr Andrew Stevens said.

Businessman Rico Maza has offered £400,000 of his own money to build and run four courts on the site himself in return for a long lease. Mumbles Action Group’s alternative keeps the courts too, and swaps the car park for a lido.

Across the border, Neath Sports Centre is in line for two courts on its unused tennis courts by spring 2027, the first in Neath Port Talbot. The council’s foreshore study wants courts beside the Singleton boating lake as well.

‘Still competing decades later’

Nick Baker, chief executive of UK Padel, said: “Padel is wonderfully accessible and sociable, it also brings out a competitive spirit in people of all ages. You can pick up a racket for the first time, discover a love of the game and still be competing decades later.”

He added: “This weekend captures everything that makes the sport so special, with schoolchildren representing their schools in Bristol while players in their sixties are competing alongside younger generations at our Masters Series in Swansea.”

UK Padel says women made up half the field at last season’s Masters finals, and more than 220 players entered last month’s Over 60 Padel County Cup. On Sunday its Schools Under-18 Championships return to Rocket Padel Bristol with more than 25 schools, after 132 players took part last year.

Matches from Swansea will be streamed on UK Padel’s YouTube channel through the weekend, with the Bristol results to follow.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

MUMBLES: Padel courts to replace the old seafront tennis courts, and the car park is coming back
The council’s own application, announced last week.

MUMBLES: Businessman’s alternative padel plan would use £400,000 of his own money
Rico Maza’s offer to build and run the seafront courts himself.

PARC TAWE: Ninja Warrior venue could be replaced by six padel courts under new plans
Pure Padel’s application for the retail park unit.

PADEL AND PILATES: £3.3m for Neath Port Talbot’s gyms
Neath’s two courts, due by spring 2027.

Padel coverage from Swansea Bay News
Every court, plan and application across the region.

MUMBLES: Businessman’s alternative padel plan would use £400,000 of his own money, so the council doesn’t have to

A businessman with family in Mumbles has offered to spend £400,000 of his own money turning the old seafront tennis courts into four padel courts.

Rico Maza wants a long lease on the site in return, with Swansea Council keeping the land and collecting the rent.

It is an alternative to the council’s own plans for three courts and a car park on Mumbles Gardens, the site between the Oyster House and Oystermouth Bowls Club.

Mumbles Action Group set out a rival vision on Saturday, with a lido and games court instead of the car park.

Mr Maza says he has written to the council and local councillors. “I’ve not heard anything back from the council or councillors,” he said.

£400,000 padel offer: four floodlit courts and pay-and-play

He would build four enclosed glass and mesh courts to Lawn Tennis Association standards, floodlit for evening games, with online booking and pay-and-play.

There would be coaching, leagues and junior sessions, he says, and cheaper off-peak rates for local residents.

The £400,000 would pay for the courts, glass, lighting, surfacing and installation. Maintenance, insurance and the day-to-day running would be his responsibility for the length of the lease.

Under his offer, he says, the council “keeps ownership of the land, receives a rental income, and has no capital outlay or ongoing maintenance and operating responsibilities”.

Only a few parking spaces would be needed, he says.

Tree planting to screen Mumbles Road neighbours from noise and light

Mr Maza accepts the courts are close to homes. Roadside trees and landscaping would screen sound and light, he says, and the floodlights would be angled to limit light spill.

Who is Rico Maza?

He says he has spent many years running council sports facilities and park catering sites around London and Essex.

He is moving to Mumbles, where his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter live. His daughter-in-law’s family “have lived there all their lives”, he said.

A Lawn Tennis Association member and a club tennis player “for a lifetime”, he is new to padel himself. “I’m new to paddle tennis, but the excitement it brings is unmatched,” he said.

He would bring in “one or two of the best paddle coaches available”, teaching everyone from “complete beginners like myself” to players who want to compete at a higher level.

Getting the coaching right from day one matters, he said: “Building a high-quality coaching program from the outset would help establish the facility as a genuine centre for developing the sport.”

‘I would also be interested in running the paddle tennis facility for the council’

If the council presses on with its own three courts, Mr Maza says he would like to run them.

He thinks it would save the council money in the long run. “In my opinion the council work with the best intentions, but the cost of delivering and operating projects can sometimes increase considerably over time,” he said.

He accepts the council “has its own plans in motion”, and says he would welcome a meeting with its property, regeneration and leisure teams.

The council’s plan: three courts and the car park back

The council’s own application has no cost, no opening date and no word yet on who would run the courts or what a game would cost.

It asked Mumbles in January last year what should replace the tennis courts, and says padel was the sport most people named.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said the plans showed “we have listened carefully to what our communities want”.

Some residents commenting online have questioned giving part of the site over to parking, while others welcomed padel as a sport that is easier to pick up than tennis.

Leasing out tennis courts would not be new for the council. Last year it offered three under-used courts at Langland for redevelopment on a long lease.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

MUMBLES: Campaign group’s alternative plan for the old tennis courts swaps the car park for a lido
Mumbles Action Group’s rival vision for the site.

MUMBLES: Padel courts to replace the old seafront tennis courts, and the car park is coming back
The council’s own plan for three courts and a car park.

Langland Bay tennis court site may be redeveloped to include new leisure facilities
The council’s offer of three Langland courts on a long lease.

More Mumbles news

MUMBLES: Campaign group’s alternative plan for the old tennis courts swaps the car park for a lido

A lido and a games court instead of a car park: that is what a Mumbles campaign group wants on the old seafront tennis courts.

Mumbles Action Group, which has around 4,800 members on Facebook, has shared its own plan for the site between the Oyster House and Oystermouth Bowls Club.

It keeps the padel courts in the council’s plans, but puts an outdoor pool and a multi-use games area, a fenced court for sports like basketball and netball, where the council would bring back around 20 parking spaces.

Michael Eames, an administrator of the group, said the site was “a community space and should remain so”.

Car parks do not bring visitors, he argues. “Mumbles is a tourist destination not a car park,” he said.

Lido and games court: ‘Why can’t we have the best in Mumbles?’

In a post to the group, he wrote that “swimmers would love it, kids would be blown away” and that it would “enhance the area”.

He also predicted the council’s answer: “Oooooerrrr we got no money” or “Ooooerrr it will be too expensive”.

He wants the council to “get some quotes together, do some surveys, see what grants are available”. “Why can’t we have the best in Mumbles, we pay for it!” he wrote.

He puts what Mumbles pays the council in parking charges alone at around £5m.

Mumbles tennis courts: residents say the site keeps shrinking

The council’s own sign on the fence names the site Mumbles Gardens, and records that the tennis courts were paid for by Mumbles Community Council.

Members of the group say there were once four tennis courts on the site, and that one was lost to the neighbouring Oyster Wharf development.

Under the council’s plan, what is left would be split between three padel courts and the car park. Some residents worry that land given over to parking will never come back.

Others fear Langland could be next. Last year the council offered three under-used tennis courts there for redevelopment on a long lease.

Mr Eames says Oyster Wharf took 58 parking spaces, the M&S site another 76 potential spaces and the new prom another 18. “Now we turn public community spaces into car parks… that’s madness!” he wrote.

Not everyone in Mumbles Action Group is convinced

Some members said the village’s parking problem had to be solved first, and one called the idea a waste of council tax money that should be spent elsewhere in Swansea.

Others questioned the picture itself. It was made with an AI tool, and shows basketball hoops on a court painted in padel colours.

Mr Eames accepts a seawater lido would be “out of the question” without the water being pumped in, filtered, cleaned and monitored.

A lido appears in the Civic Centre plans only as a possible future phase. Blackpill Lido, the bay’s existing outdoor pool, is a wide, shallow pool best loved by young children.

Swansea Council’s plan: three padel courts and the parking back

The council says padel was the sport most people named when it asked Mumbles in January last year what should replace the tennis courts.

Bringing back the parking lost to the sea defence works was a promise it made before the work started.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said the plans showed “we have listened carefully to what our communities want”.

The application will go before the council’s own planning committee. No date had been set when it was announced last week.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

MUMBLES: Padel courts to replace the old seafront tennis courts, and the car park is coming back
The council’s own plan for the site.

Swansea Council seeking local view on the future of a key Mumbles location
The January 2025 consultation on what should replace the tennis courts.

Langland Bay tennis court site may be redeveloped to include new leisure facilities
The council’s offer of three Langland courts on a long lease.

SWANSEA: Civic Centre plans finally go in, and the small print tells its own story
Where the lido stands in the Civic Centre plans.

More Mumbles news

CYCLE PATH UPGRADE: Popular Dunvant to Gowerton route to get £500k revamp

The old railway path between Dunvant and Gowerton is about to get wider.

Swansea Council has £500,000 from the Welsh Government to widen the 1.75km stretch, the same treatment the lower section from Blackpill to Dunvant has already had. Sections will close while the work is done, and the council says dates and details will come via signs on the route.

For a lot of people in both villages the path is the school run, the commute or the dog walk, so the plan-ahead advice will matter once the work starts.

The path is National Cycle Network Route 4, the traffic-free line from the seafront at Blackpill up through Killay and Dunvant to Gowerton.

What you’ll get at the end of it

A wider path. The council says the point is room: for people on foot, on bikes and on mobility scooters to pass each other without stopping, and less bunching up at the pinch points.

The council says the Blackpill to Dunvant widening has gone down well. In January it put the spend on the main Clyne Valley path at more than £1m.

“By widening the path we can make it more comfortable, accessible and attractive for all users, giving people more space and helping to support safer journeys on foot, by bike and by other active travel means,” said Cllr Andrew Stevens, the cabinet member for environment and infrastructure.

“We will keep disruption to a minimum”

On the closures, Cllr Stevens said: “We appreciate that temporary closures will cause some disruption while the work is taking place, but these are needed to allow the improvements to be delivered safely. We will keep disruption to a minimum and make sure clear information is available for route users.”

The stretch is well used by people travelling between the two villages, he said, “whether they are commuting, getting to school, visiting local facilities or enjoying the route for leisure”.

The money comes from the Welsh Government’s Regional Transport Fund, which the council says favours walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport schemes.

Where it stops

The scheme ends at Gowerton. It does not touch the long-argued-over gap from Gowerton on to Penclawdd, where a shared path has had planning permission since 2006 and cyclists are still on the B4295.

That link, and a bridleway route from Waunarlwydd onto NCN4 avoiding Gorwydd Road, were both on the redrawn walking and cycling map the council put out to consultation this summer. Being on the map is what makes a route eligible for Welsh Government money; it is not a promise it gets built.

For the Dunvant to Gowerton stretch, the money is now in hand. Dates for the work and the closures are the next thing to look out for.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

ACTIVE TRAVEL: The big redraw of Swansea’s walking and cycling map, what’s changing in your area
The Waunarlwydd link and the Gowerton to Penclawdd gap.

Council backs down on Clyne Valley tarmac plan after public outcry
The bridleway the council left alone, and the £1m spent on the main path.

GOWERTON: Sinkhole closes lane on main route to Dunvant
The road between the two villages, and the day it gave way.

More active travel coverage from Swansea Bay News
Every walking and cycling route story.

MUMBLES: Padel courts to replace the old seafront tennis courts, and the car park is coming back

The old tennis courts on Mumbles Road are to become three padel courts, with the car park that vanished under the sea wall works back beside them.

The site between the Oyster House and Oystermouth Bowls Club has been out of use for years, first as the builders’ compound for the £26.5m sea defences, then fenced off while Swansea Council decided what to do with it.

Now the council has put in its own planning application: three courts, the parking reinstated, a new footpath from Mumbles Road through to the seafront, and planting to match the new prom.

What Mumbles asked for

The council’s images show the courts in a row against the bowling green, which is untouched, with a car park of around 20 bays in front, two of them marked for electric vehicles, and the Oyster House terrace looking over the lot.

The council asked residents, businesses and visitors in January last year what should go there, acknowledging that some wanted the tennis courts back and others had “further ideas”.

It says the answer was overwhelming: racquet sports should return, and padel was the one most people named.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, the cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said the plans showed “we have listened carefully to what our communities want and we are delivering on that feedback”.

The parking promise

The sea wall and the wider prom opened in July last year, and the redesign took car parking with it. Keeping the same number of spaces was a commitment the council made before the work started, and the site is where it is honouring it.

Cllr Stevens said reinstating the spaces would provide “convenience for visitors and supporting local businesses”. The plans as announced do not put a number on them.

From 15,000 players to 860,000

Padel is tennis crossed with squash: a court a third the size of a tennis court, walled in glass and mesh so the ball stays in play off the back, and a solid racket with no strings. It was invented in Acapulco in 1969.

In 2019 about 15,000 people in the UK played it. The Lawn Tennis Association counted around 860,000 last year, more than double the year before.

“Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and is attracting people of all ages because it’s fun, social and easy to learn,” Cllr Stevens said.

Swansea already has Jaxx Padel, which calls itself Wales’ largest indoor padel centre, with nine indoor courts and more outside. Six more indoor courts are proposed for the Ninja Warrior unit at Parc Tawe, Neath Sports Centre is getting two on its unused tennis courts by spring 2027, and the council’s foreshore study wants courts beside the Singleton boating lake. The Mumbles plans are the first the council has put in for itself.

What the plans don’t say yet

There is no cost, no opening date and no word on who will run the courts or what a game will cost. The application goes to the council’s own planning committee; no date has been set.

Cllr Stevens said the council was “delighted to be bringing these exciting facilities to Mumbles, creating new opportunities for people to get active while making the most of this prime seafront location”.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea Council seeking local view on the future of a key Mumbles location
The January 2025 consultation that asked what should replace the tennis courts.

Mumbles coastal flood defence scheme officially opens
The £26.5m sea wall and prom, and the parking that went with it.

PARC TAWE: Ninja Warrior venue could be replaced by six padel courts under new plans
The other padel application in Swansea.

More Mumbles news from Swansea Bay News
Every story from the village.

SWANSEA: Council takes over NCP car parks with all-day parking cut to £5

Swansea Council has taken over the running of two city centre car parks abandoned by collapsed operator NCP, cutting all-day parking at both to £5.

NCP stopped operating the Kingsway and Orchard Street sites on Friday. The council’s red signs and £5-a-day tariff boards were going up at both this week, with the old NCP branding still in place above the entrances and its outline showing on the wall at Orchard Street where a sign had been stripped off.

Between them the two sites hold 840 spaces — 512 at Orchard Street and 328 at Kingsway — a significant slice of the city centre’s parking.

Parking at both now costs £1 an hour or £5 for the day, matching the council’s other city centre car parks, with Sundays £2 all day. Existing permit holders keep their spaces.

The company’s third Swansea site, City Gates on York Street, stays with NCP and is not part of the council’s plans. It has 251 spaces.

Cabinet member Andrew Stevens said the prospect of the car parks closing had been a concern when the council was given the news.

“Fortunately, the council own the freehold for both the Kingsway and Orchard Street sites,” he said. “This has given us the opportunity to take over the running of both sites and keep them both running without any disruption for car park users.”

He said the council would spend the next few months upgrading payment equipment and other features to bring the two sites up to the standard of its other car parks.

Cllr Stevens said Swansea now had “some of the cheapest parking fees anywhere in the country”.

The rescue ends four months of uncertainty for two of the city’s busiest car parks. NCP called in administrators from PwC in March after running out of cash, putting all its Swansea sites under review.

The company, which ran around 340 car parks and employed more than 680 people, never recovered from the collapse in commuting after the pandemic, while long leases kept its costs high.

PwC closed 29 car parks across England and Northern Ireland in the months that followed — none of them in Wales — while telling drivers the remaining sites were trading as normal.

The 840 spaces are a real addition to the council’s stock. When the 628-space Copr Bay North multi-storey opened this month, the 375-space St David’s car park shut the same day for demolition, leaving a net gain of just over 250 spaces.

Drivers with outstanding NCP fines should note that administration does not wipe them: the company still legally exists, and unpaid tickets can still be enforced.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

NCP enters administration putting key Swansea car parks at risk
How the collapse put Kingsway, Orchard Street and City Gates under a cloud in March.

SWANSEA: Don’t ignore that NCP parking fine
Why administration doesn’t wipe out fines — and what the creditors’ meeting meant for Swansea.

COPR BAY: Opening day named for long-delayed car park
628 new spaces — and the 375-space car park that closed the same day.

SWANSEA: Is your street next? Council signs off £14.5m for roads as 4,600 potholes filled

More of Swansea’s streets are in line for resurfacing after the council signed off £14.5m for the city’s roads.

Cabinet has approved further highways funding, which the council said built on a wider commitment of more than £12m for resurfacing, repairs and potholes — taking total investment to around £14.5m in 2026-27. The authority described it as a record level of investment.

The decision follows the extra £2m for the city’s roads the council set out earlier this month, which has now been formally approved.

The council said almost 4,600 potholes had been filled in the first five months of this year, alongside resurfacing schemes across the city.

It said recent resurfacing had included Cwm Level roundabout, Wimmerfield Drive in Killay, Roseland Road in Waunarlwydd, and Vardre Road in Clydach, along with streets in Uplands and Morriston.

The council said further work was planned through its small resurfacing programme, with schemes scheduled in Gowerton, Penclawdd, Mayals and Bishopston.

It said the latest funding would pay for more carriageway resurfacing, junction improvements and urgent smaller repairs, helping to tackle a backlog of maintenance.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said residents wanted to see real improvements to the condition of the city’s roads.

“This record level of investment is helping us deliver that,” he said. “People are already seeing resurfacing and repair work taking place in communities right across Swansea, and thousands of potholes have been fixed in recent months.”

He said the latest funding would allow the council to do more in the year ahead, meaning “more resurfaced roads, more local repairs and a continued focus on the areas that matter most to residents.”

Cllr Stevens also acknowledged that the council’s approach to potholes was, in many cases, a stopgap.

“Our commitment to pothole repairs, for example, is to provide a temporary fix for problem places while we plan more full repairs at a later date,” he said.

He added that the investment also supported longer-term work to make the road network more resilient, including drainage and flood prevention.

The funding comes after the council’s wider road repair blitz earlier this year, when it said new resurfacing crews had been brought in to step up the programme.

The council said further schemes would be confirmed as the programme continued.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Extra £2m for the city’s roads — and the £686k that unlocks a flood fix
The funding boost set out by the council earlier this month.

Road repair blitz ramps up as new crews hit the streets
How the council stepped up its resurfacing programme earlier this year.

The roads earmarked for resurfacing across Swansea
A look at the streets the council has lined up for work.

SWANSEA: Three more skateparks open as £3m wheeled sports drive rolls on

Skaters and BMX riders have wasted no time getting on three new wheeled sports parks that have just opened across Swansea.

The biggest is a street plaza-style park at Victoria Park, joined by upgraded sites at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill and Mynydd Newydd in Penlan.

All three were being ridden before anyone had cut a ribbon — the official openings aren’t due until later this summer.

They are the latest sites to land under Swansea Council‘s £3 million spend on skate, BMX and scooter facilities, a programme riders themselves pushed for over several years.

The council says the goal is to put most residents within two miles of somewhere to skate or ride.

The Victoria Park plaza is the standout. Work there has been tracked from the first diggers on site through to its promised spring opening, and it has now opened its gates.

The designs were drawn up by specialist firm Curve Studio, with the building work handed to contractors Wheelscape, Bendcrete Leisure and Canvas Spaces.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, the council’s cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said the early turnout showed the parks were hitting the mark.

“This investment is about creating welcoming, high-quality places where people of all ages can be active, develop skills and enjoy modern facilities close to home,” he said.

Council leader Rob Stewart was also at Victoria Park to see the new plaza in use.

The three openings follow upgrades already finished at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

They build on years of lobbying by local riders, who backed the spending as a way to grow the sport and give young people somewhere to go.

There is plenty still in the pipeline. A BMX-focused park is planned for the Elba sports complex in Gowerton, with a small cycling track in Blaen-y-maes, a new pump track in Bishopston and a refurbished one at Clyne Valley.

A junior pump track is lined up for Gorseinon and a skatepark for Ynystawe Park — both shown off in design form late last year.

Further schemes include dirt tracks at Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach and Coed Bach Park in Pontarddulais, plus pump tracks at Morriston Park, Heol Las Park in Birchgrove, Maesteg Park in St Thomas and the SA1 Prince of Wales Dock.

The whole drive sits inside the council’s wider £11m spend on play areas and recreation since the pandemic, paid for through ward budgets, the Community Investment Fund, town and community council money and Welsh Government active travel grants.

It all comes shortly after skaters, families and PCSOs got together for a community paint day at Mumbles skatepark, brightening up the ramps with their own designs.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New Victoria Park skate plaza on track for spring opening
How the city’s flagship new street-plaza facility took shape.

New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe
A look at two of the sites still to come under the programme.

Council announces £11m investment in play areas and wheeled sports facilities
The wider recreation spending the skatepark drive sits within.

Skaters and PCSOs give Mumbles skatepark a colourful makeover
A community paint day brightens up the ramps.

SWANSEA: Local football gets £750,000 boost for new facilities

This significant funding is poised to make playing football more attractive and accessible to a wider range of people, from existing players to new participants, according to Swansea Council.

The improvements are a joint effort, driven by Swansea Council in partnership with the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF).

The CFF, the charitable arm of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), is the sport’s national governing body.

Community clubs across Swansea are expected to benefit directly from these new, modern facilities, the council has indicated.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, has warmly welcomed the substantial funding.

He believes the investment will significantly boost football’s popularity across Swansea.

Cllr Stevens highlighted the anticipated positive impact on grassroots sport.

“The improvement work on playing field changing rooms at Trallwn Fields, Cwm Level and Ynystawe Park will encourage more people to get involved with grassroots sport,” he stated.

He further emphasised the goal of attracting a diverse group of users.

“Once built, the facilities will be attractive to existing players and many others – including women and girls, amongst whom we’re already seeing huge participation growth across the city – who perhaps don’t play right now,” Cllr Stevens added.

This investment in new facilities is part of a larger, planned £1 million council commitment to upgrading football infrastructure city-wide.

Aled Lewis, director at the CFF, has underscored the foundation’s dedication to inspiring communities through improved facilities.

“These much-needed investments across Swansea will be essential for the growth of the game,” Mr Lewis commented.

He praised the collaborative effort with Swansea Council, noting its importance.

“Through collaboration with Swansea Council, we’re ensuring grassroots players have safe, community-led environments for everyone to enjoy. We’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact they’re going to have once they’ve been completed,” he said.

The council’s new local football strategy, developed with the CFF and FAW, aims to enhance opportunities to play the sport in the coming years.

Key improvements are set to include high-quality, inclusive changing facilities, upgraded to modern standards, as outlined by the council.

These upgrades are specifically designed to ensure the facilities are attractive and accessible to a more diverse group of users.

The sports fields at Trallwn, Cwm Level and Ynystawe are already well-utilised by several clubs and the Swansea Senior and Junior Football Leagues.

Designs for the upgrades will now be created, following council plans.

The work will be subject to planning approval, which includes necessary studies like ecological surveys.

Local clubs have been actively involved in shaping the designs, a process the council has reported.

Once finalised and approved by funders and planners, the designs will be shared with all stakeholders.

Crucially, this grant will also free up council funds, Swansea Council has confirmed.

These freed-up funds can then be used to improve other football facilities around Swansea, including Cadle Mill, at Blaen-Y-Maes, and Bonymaen Park, according to the council.

Swansea’s coat of arms to return to street signs

The move, which the council says will be a “cost-free addition”, will see the historic crest return to street signs as part of the regular replacement programme for damaged or missing nameplates, a move designed to celebrate the city’s heritage.

The council said the new signs will also be more resilient to the weather, ensuring they last longer.

“The city crest is part of our shared heritage,” said Cllr Andrew Stevens,, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Management.

“By adding them to street signs as we did many years ago will help celebrate our shared history and add to our sense of shared identity.”

The announcement, made on the council’s Facebook page, has generated significant public discussion. The first of the new signs have been installed in Morriston.

Cllr Stevens added that the idea had been suggested by a number of people and that it “does add a stylish new look to the nameplates.”

He also provided some historical context for the crest, which includes the city’s Latin motto, ‘Floreat Swansea’, meaning ‘Let Swansea Flourish’.

The crest itself is rich with symbolism representing the city’s history. The blue and white wavy lines signify Swansea’s status as a seaport, while the castle represents its medieval fortifications. An osprey, long associated with the city, forms the crest, and the shield is supported by a lion, representing the de Braos family who were Lords of Gower, and a dragon, representing Wales.

“The origin of our city’s coat of arms is lost to history, but the one we’re using now dates back more than a century to 1922 when it was granted by the College of Arms. Since then it’s had additions as Swansea has flourished from a town to the city we live in today.”

SWANSEA: Council announces £11m investment in play areas and wheeled sports facilities

The investment was highlighted during a visit by Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, to Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has benefited from both schemes.

£8m Play Area Programme Since Pandemic

The council says it has invested around £8 million in creating or refurbishing over 80 community play areas since 2021. The project was supported by an additional £5 million in Welsh Government funding this year to help create inclusive and accessible play spaces, according to the council.

At Coed Gwilym Park, the funding has helped secure a wheelchair seesaw and a wheelchair trampoline, which are currently under construction. A new natural play area and a zipwire are also being added.

Welsh Government Minister Dawn Bowden said:

“It was great to visit Coed Gwilym Park and see how the local authority has been listening to the voices of children in developing play spaces. These improvements, supported by Welsh Government funding, will make a real difference to children and their families, providing opportunities to play and be active with friends.”

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the programme was inspired by the pandemic.

“When we came out of the pandemic, the council made a commitment to modernise community play areas that’s seen more than 80 of them improved over the last five years. It means no child is far from a local, safe place to play outdoors with their friends.”

£3m Wheeled Sports Investment

The council has also announced a £3 million investment to upgrade facilities for BMX, skateboarding, and other wheeled sports.

New plans announced by the council include:

• Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach: Dirt track and jumps
• Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais: Dirt track
• Morriston Park: Pump track
• Heol Las Park, Birchgrove: Pump track
• Maesteg Park, St Thomas: Pump track
• Ynystawe Park: Skate park
• SA1 Prince of Wales Docks: Pump track
• A new regional skate park (location to be confirmed)

The council says upgrade work has already been completed on a new skatepark at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and a skatepark at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“We’re determined to make Swansea one of the best places in Wales for wheeled sports, and today’s announcement of further new locations shows the scale of our ambition. Our long-term aim is to create a connected, inclusive and high-quality network of wheeled sports facilities that support healthier lifestyles, youth engagement and stronger communities across Swansea.”

A public forum to discuss the plans will be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, February 25, from 5pm to 6.30pm, according to the council.

Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:

“The feedback we’ve had from children, their families and communities has been tremendous. The investment is one of the largest and most sustained commitments to outdoor play areas of this kind anywhere in the UK.”

Swansea’s road repair blitz ramps up as new resurfacing crews hit the streets

The council says an additional £300,000 has been pumped into the programme, allowing teams to tackle more potholes, worn‑out stretches and weather‑damaged routes after weeks of cold, wet conditions.

Fresh resurfacing lined up across the city

A series of busy roads are now earmarked for work in the coming weeks, including key routes in Clydach, Morriston, Fforestfach, Llansamlet, Clase, Bishopston and Uplands.

Locations scheduled for repairs include:

• Ynyspenllwch Road, Clydach (Ffordd Cwmtawe to Clydach)
• Lone Road, Clydach
• Llanllienwen Road, Morriston
• A48, Morriston (J46 to Bryntywod entrance)
• Carmarthen Road, Fforestfach (Ffordd Cynore to Swansea Road)
• Nantong Way, Llansamlet (outside Royal Mail)
• Rheidol Avenue, Clase
• Bishopston Road, Bishopston
• Maes y Gwernen Road and Drive, Cwmrhydyceirw
• Uplands Crescent

The council says full resurfacing has already been completed at a number of high‑traffic spots, including the Peniel Green Road motorway junction.

‘We’re using every resource we’ve got’

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said crews were working flat out to keep up with demand.

“We are using all of our resources to tackle as many of the highway repair requests as possible,” he said.

“Full resurfacing work is being completed at key traffic spots including the motorway junction at Peniel Green Road. Our small resurfacing teams are also out tackling large areas of road that have been impacted by the recent cold and wet weather.”

Part of a wider £300k pothole and resurfacing blitz

The council says the latest work forms part of the £300,000 pothole and resurfacing blitz announced earlier this winter. According to the authority’s early‑February update, teams filled around 960 potholes in January, with repairs running at “around 100 a day” during the coldest weeks. The same update confirmed that full resurfacing had recently been completed on Peniel Green Road at the M4 junction, along with sections of Frampton Road, Carmarthen Road and Ffynone Road in Uplands.

The council said an extra team had been brought in to “speed up and increase the number of repairs”, with more resurfacing schemes scheduled across the city in the coming weeks as the winter programme continues.

£37m proposed for highways and transport

The council’s proposed budget for 20206/27 is due to be discussed by the council’s cabinet on 19 February. This includes a new Economic Growth Fund which according to the council would include an extra £3m for resurfacing and potholes, taking next year’s roads budget to more than £12m within a wider £37m allocation for highways and transport.

New smart sensors rolled out to protect Swansea’s water users

According to the council, more than 40 Public Rescue Aid (PRA) units are now fitted with the technology at key waterside locations including the River Tawe and Swansea Marina, with further installations planned ahead of summer at Singleton Lake, Mumbles Promenade, Bracelet Bay, Caswell and Langland.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Councillor Andrew Stevens, said the sensors were proving “a simple but powerful way” to protect the public. He said missing or moved rescue equipment “puts the public at real risk”, and that the new system allows the council to respond faster and replace equipment sooner.

The council states that when a rescue aid is opened or disturbed, the system automatically alerts its Water Safety Team, who can then visit the site within 24 hours. This sits alongside the team’s routine two‑weekly physical inspections carried out throughout the year.

Water Safety Co‑ordinator Andrew Suter said the technology had already supported a real emergency response. He said he received a call from police about a rescue on the River Tawe involving a life ring, but the system had already notified him that the equipment had been opened, allowing the council to replace it the next day.

Swansea Council says the example highlights the partnership between its Water Safety Team and emergency services, and confirmed it will continue expanding the sensor network as part of its commitment to improving water safety and ensuring rescue equipment remains available and in good condition.

More Water Safety News

New sensors a ‘life-saver’ for water safety aids
How smart technology is helping Swansea Council protect the public.

Holiday park brings water safety lessons to schools
Initiative launched as Wales records the UK’s highest drowning figures.

Call for action as young people’s drowning deaths rise
New figures prompt renewed warnings from safety campaigners.

Council warns vandals are putting lives at risk
Swansea Council urges the public to stop tampering with rescue equipment.

Night‑time road closures as new safety upgrades head to Mumbles seafront

Swansea Council confirmed that work will start on January 25 to install two new pedestrian crossings and widen pavements at the junction of Newton Road and Mumbles Road. The authority says the scheme is intended to link the recently upgraded promenade with the village’s main shopping street ahead of the Easter tourism season.

Five nights of closures before weeks of temporary lights

According to the council, a short stretch of Mumbles Road will close overnight for five nights from Sunday to Thursday, between the White Rose pub and the taxi office. Diversions will run via Newton Road from 8pm to 6am.

The council says almost all construction will take place at night to keep traffic moving during the day and maintain access to businesses.

From February 1, Swansea Council says three‑way temporary traffic lights will operate 24/7 for around six weeks. The authority says the lights will be removed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays where possible, returning each Sunday evening.

Crossings, wider pavements and a safer bus stop

The council says the upgrade includes two new pedestrian crossings near the mini‑roundabout, wider pavements around the junction and improvements to the Swansea‑bound bus stop, which will get a new shelter and more space for waiting passengers.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the work would complete the link between the new prom and the village centre.

“The seawall upgrade and prom improvements have made a huge difference to the area for residents and visitors,” he said. “Mumbles remains open for business during the new work. Most work will be done by night to minimise impact on traffic and businesses.”

Cllr Stevens said the new crossings would give people “safe and easy” access between the shops and the seafront.

“Newton Road is a busy pedestrian area and we want to ensure those walking between the prom and the shops can do so as safely as possible,” he said.

He added that the bus stop upgrade was needed because queues often formed on a narrow pavement.

Delays expected but work timed for pre‑Easter finish

Swansea Council says temporary traffic lights are unavoidable and will cause delays, but the aim is to complete the scheme before Easter.

“We will be doing everything we can to keep the disruption to a minimum and complete the upgrade as soon as possible,” Cllr Stevens said. “We want to thank businesses, residents and visitors alike for their patience while it goes ahead.”

The council says the bus stop will remain in use throughout the works but may be temporarily relocated along the same stretch of pavement as construction progresses.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Painted utility boxes bring colour and conversation to Mumbles
A community art project brightens the seafront and sparks local engagement.

New Mumbles seafront play area opens as part of coastal revamp
Families welcome the latest addition to the multi‑million pound promenade upgrade.

Mumbles para‑rower Ben Pritchard crowned Welsh Sports Personality of the Year
Local athlete honoured after a standout year on the international stage.

Council sets out plan to keep new‑look Mumbles prom clean and welcoming
Swansea Council outlines how it will maintain the upgraded seafront ahead of peak season.

New Victoria Park skate plaza on track for spring opening

The existing skate area has now closed while construction gets underway, with specialist contractor Wheelscape appointed to deliver the scheme. Swansea Council says the popular mini ramp could be saved and relocated if the condition allows.

Part of a £3m citywide upgrade

The Victoria Park revamp forms part of a £3m investment in skate, BMX and wheeled‑sports facilities across Swansea. The aim is to ensure most residents live within two miles of a modern, upgraded site.

Curve Studio has helped design the new plaza, shaping the layout and features based on what local users said they wanted.

‘Safe, modern spaces close to home’

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the project shows the authority’s commitment to high‑quality community facilities.

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“This investment is about giving people of all ages more chances to be active, build skills and enjoy safe, modern spaces close to where they live.”

He said the Victoria Park scheme is one part of a wider network now being built across the city.

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“With work now starting at Victoria Park, alongside improvements that are complete, under way or planned elsewhere, we’re building a network of skate, BMX and wheeled sports facilities across Swansea. These projects show the value of working closely with communities and specialist designers to deliver facilities that reflect what users have asked for and will serve local areas well into the future.”

More upgrades on the way

Contracts have recently been awarded for improvements at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, with work due to start in the coming weeks.

Recent upgrades at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon have already been completed — both delivered by Wheelscape.

Further schemes in development include a small cycling facility in Blaenymaes, a new pump track in Bishopston, refurbishment of the existing pump track at Clyne Valley, and a junior pump track in Gorseinon. More locations are expected to be announced soon.

Backed by multiple funding streams

The overall programme is being supported by ward members, community and town councils, the community investment fund and the Welsh Government’s active travel grant.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Work begins on new skate plaza at Swansea’s Victoria Park
First look at the £3m wheeled‑sports investment as construction gets underway.

Work to start on new skate plaza at Victoria Park as £2.8m wheeled sports investment rolls out
Council confirms timeline for the city‑wide upgrade programme.

Council backs down on Clyne Valley tarmac plan after public outcry

The Old Carriage Drive bridleway, which links Derwen Fawr and Killay, became the focus of fierce local anger last year after residents discovered proposals to lay a hard tarmac surface along the rural route. Walkers, horse‑riders and cyclists warned the scheme would “urbanise” one of the valley’s most cherished green corridors, prompting protests, petitions and packed public meetings.

Now the council has confirmed it is rowing back on the original plan and will instead restore the bridleway using a more traditional surface dressing, improved drainage and lighter‑touch repairs designed to keep the route’s natural character intact.

A clear shift after community pressure

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the rethink came directly from the strength of feeling shown by residents and community groups.

“Our discussions with residents and community groups have come up with suggestions that will help enhance the route while also maintaining the look and feel of the local natural environment.”

“We’ve listened to what people have been saying about our original proposals and the result will see enhancements aiming to reflect many of their suggestions.”

He said the new approach would still improve accessibility, but without the hard urban finish many feared. The revised plan includes clearing drainage ditches, restoring the bridleway’s original surface and improving connections to adjoining paths.

Residents claim victory after months of opposition

Locals had slammed the tarmac plan as “completely inappropriate”, staging a protest walk through the valley in a bid to stop it. The council’s reversal is already being seen by many as a significant climbdown.

Campaigners had warned that tarmac would damage the valley’s ecology, increase speeds on the route and erase the historic feel of the Old Carriage Drive. Some accused the council of pushing through a scheme that ignored the bridleway’s rural status.

Part of wider investment — but with a lighter touch

The council says the new works will complement more than £1 million already spent upgrading the main Clyne Valley Path, which has been widened and resurfaced in recent years to cope with rising footfall. But unlike the main route, the Old Carriage Drive will now retain its woodland character.

Cllr Stevens said the upgrade would “add to and continue the significant investment” in the country park, while ensuring the bridleway remains in keeping with its surroundings.

What happens next?

Detailed designs for the revised scheme will be drawn up in the coming months, with work expected to focus on restoring the bridleway’s original surface rather than replacing it with tarmac.

For many residents, the shift marks a rare moment where community pressure has directly reshaped a council project — and a win for those determined to keep Clyne Valley’s woodland routes as natural as possible.

More on the Clyne Valley row

Protest planned over Clyne Valley bridleway resurfacing
Residents organise a protest walk after plans emerge to tarmac the historic route.

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway
Walkers, cyclists and horse‑riders condemn the proposal as “completely inappropriate”.

Brynymor Road sinkhole shuts street again just hours after councillors’ photo‑op

A new hole has appeared on Brynymor Road, close to the junction with Westbury Street and King Edward Road, just inches from the section that was patched earlier this month. The collapse has reignited safety fears and left residents asking how long the street can stay open before the ground gives way again.

From ribbon‑cutting smiles to flashing blue lights

On Tuesday, councillors marked the reopening with photo‑ops at the repaired site. By Wednesday, cones and flashing police lights were back, sealing off the street as crews scrambled to respond to the fresh failure.

Local resident George Hawkins snapped the scene and posted it to Facebook with a single emoji caption: 💀 — a blunt verdict on the repair job.

Closed earlier this month, closed again now

The road was first shut earlier this month when a large sinkhole appeared, sparking emergency works. After days of disruption, the street was reopened — only for a second collapse to follow within hours, forcing another closure and raising questions about whether deeper structural issues are being missed.

Council pressed for answers

Swansea Council has been approached for comment on the recurrence and whether further investigations will now be carried out. For now, residents are left wondering if the authority is really looking into it.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Bryn‑y‑Mor Road
Initial closure earlier this month after a large sinkhole appeared near Westbury Street.

Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected, says councillor
Councillor Peter May warned repairs would take longer after Welsh Water accepted liability.

Sinkhole mystery solved: collapse blamed on old manhole
Engineers ruled out mine workings, saying an old manhole caused the collapse before Christmas reopening.

Brynymor Road reopens after sinkhole drama
Councillors posed for photos as the road reopened following emergency repairs.

Brynymor Road reopens after sinkhole drama

Road back in action

The busy route was shut after a gaping hole appeared near Brynymor Crescent, sparking fears of underground mine workings and leaving businesses counting the cost of lost footfall.

Investigations have now confirmed the fault was caused by an old manhole collapsing beneath the surface. Swansea Council’s highways maintenance teams have carried out repairs, allowing traffic to return just in time for the Christmas rush.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The sinkhole resulted in the council needing to implement a full road closure while we investigated the causes. Our highways maintenance teams have done an excellent job, repairing the road as quickly as they have. This should be great news for local businesses, residents and motorists who regularly use this route.”

Councillors welcome swift action

Uplands Party councillors praised the council’s response but acknowledged the disruption.

Cllr Peter May said: “I would like to thank the council teams for their prompt investigation work and repair on this. When a sinkhole opens, there are a lot of unknowns to examine before any repair can be carried out. It has certainly had an impact on the local area.”

Cllr Stuart Rice added: “We have been working with local traders on Brynymor Road to try and mitigate the effect that the sinkhole had on footfall. Hopefully it will now be business as usual again for them in the crucial run up to Christmas.”

From mystery to repair

The sinkhole saga gripped the Uplands for weeks, with speculation about possible mine links and councillors warning the collapse was larger than first thought. Swansea Bay News reported extensively on the closure, from the initial shock to the investigation and the promise of repairs before Christmas.

Now, with the road back open, attention turns to recovery for local businesses and reassurance for residents who watched a key city route vanish beneath their feet.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Sinkhole mystery solved: collapse blamed on old manhole
Investigations revealed the cause of the Brynymor Crescent sinkhole and hopes for a pre‑Christmas reopening.

Council investigates possible mine link to Brynymor Crescent sinkhole
Early fears suggested historic mine workings could be to blame for the collapse.

Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected, says councillor
Councillors warned the collapse was more extensive than first thought.

Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Brynymor Road
The initial shock closure that disrupted traffic and businesses in the Uplands.

#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrPeterMay #CllrStuartRice #roadClosure #Sinkhole #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaSinkhole #Uplands

Pontarddulais Town FC goes solar to cut bills and carbon

Pontarddulais Town FC has fitted 30 solar panels to its changing rooms, backed up by battery storage to capture and use the energy produced. The £23,130 package was funded through the Rural Anchor Fund via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund — part of a scheme that has already launched 17 renewable energy projects across rural Swansea.

Volunteer coach Grant Poiner said:

“By generating and storing renewable energy on‑site, the club will significantly reduce its reliance on the grid, cut carbon emissions, and lower energy bills.

These savings will be reinvested into our grassroots football and community programmes, ensuring that the club remains accessible and affordable for everyone.

We are really grateful for the support of the fund to enable us to lower our carbon emissions and help us become more sustainable as a club.”

Pontarddulais Town isn’t the only team to benefit. South Gower Rugby Club has secured £21,000 for new LED floodlights to brighten up its pitch.

Between 2023 and 2025, Swansea Council says it has helped share more than £716,000 across 54 rural projects. Seventeen of those have focused on renewable energy, while others have backed volunteering schemes, local markets, visitor trails, biodiversity projects and feasibility studies.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure Andrew Stevens said:

“There has been a wide range of projects all across Swansea’s rural communities that have secured funding during the last two years and have put the money to good use.

Everyone is benefitting, whether it’s young people playing sports or families wanting to go for guided walks through some of our wonderful countryside.

The funding we have received is going to make a difference not just for the communities involved, but also for those who visit them.”

For Pontarddulais Town FC, the solar switch means lower bills, greener football, and more money pumped back into the grassroots game.

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Pontarddulais RFC secures major sponsorship
£6,000 boost from Persimmon Homes for the 2025/26 season.

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Developer donation for Swansea rugby club
Pontarddulais RFC benefits from Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions fund.

Junior section funding boost
£1,000 donation supports U10 and U11 teams.

Carmarthenshire football clubs funding boost
Six clubs awarded investment to improve grassroots facilities.

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Work begins on new skate plaza at Swansea’s Victoria Park

Existing skate park closes as work begins

Workers are moving onto the Victoria Park site this week, with the council confirming that the current skate park will soon shut down. Officials say the existing mini ramp could be retained and relocated if conditions allow.

Groundworks are being prepared before full construction starts in January. Swansea Council have appointed specialist contractor Wheelscape to deliver the project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2026. No works will take place over the Christmas period.

£3m programme across the city

The Victoria Park scheme forms part of a wider £3m programme to upgrade and expand wheeled sports facilities across Swansea. According to the authority, the goal is to ensure most residents are within two miles of a new or improved site.

Designers from Curve Studio have been working alongside the council to shape the plans, which include new pump tracks, cycling facilities and skate park refurbishments in multiple communities.

Cabinet member hails “high‑quality spaces”

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Victoria Park’s new street‑plaza facility is another major step in our commitment to providing high‑quality wheeled sports spaces right across Swansea.

This investment is about giving residents of all ages more opportunities to get active, develop their skills and enjoy safe, modern facilities close to home.”

He stressed that improvements are already complete, under way or planned in other communities, creating a network of skate, BMX and wheeled sports sites “within easy reach for most residents.”

More projects in the pipeline

Council officials have confirmed that contracts will shortly be awarded for skate park upgrades at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill. They point to recent enhancements at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, also delivered by Wheelscape.

Future plans, the council say, include a small cycling facility in Blaenymaes, a new pump track in Bishopston, refurbishment of the existing pump track at Clyne Valley, and a junior pump track in Gorseinon. Further sites are expected to be announced soon.

The authority notes that the investment is supported by funding from ward members, the community investment fund, community and town councils, and the Welsh Government via an active travel grant.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Work to start on new skate plaza at Victoria Park
Early announcement of the £2.8m wheeled sports investment programme across Swansea.

New image reveals street plaza skateboard park plans for Swansea’s Victoria Park
Council releases design visuals for the new street‑plaza style skate facility.

New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe
Fresh designs unveiled as part of the £3m investment in wheeled sports facilities.

Work starts to shape Swansea skatepark proposals
Initial proposals drawn up for improved skateboarding and wheeled sports sites across the city.

Swansea skateboarders back £2.8m investment in wheel sports facilities
Local riders welcome council plans to grow the sport and boost community wellbeing.

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New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe

New designs have been released for two upcoming sports facilities in Swansea — a BMX-focused site at the Elba sports complex in Gowerton and an upgraded skatepark in Ynystawe.

The plans were shared by Swansea Council at a recent update meeting with residents and wheeled sports users. The designs were developed by specialist firm Curve Studio, following what the council described as “extensive consultation.”

Planning and procurement are expected to begin in early 2026, with construction anticipated to start next summer.

The council says the wider programme aims to ensure that most Swansea residents live within two miles of a new or upgraded wheeled sports site.

“Safe, inspiring places” for young people

In a statement, Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheeled sports are incredibly popular in Swansea, and these new designs for Gowerton and Ynystawe show the continued progress we’re making across the city.”

“Our £3m investment is delivering high-quality facilities shaped by local consultation, ensuring they reflect what users themselves have told us they want from modern wheeled sports spaces.”

“This is about more than new ramps or refurbished surfaces — it’s about creating safe, inspiring places that help young people stay active, build confidence and connect with their communities.”

“With Curve Studio’s expertise and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from local residents, these projects will make a real difference.”

More sites in the pipeline

According to Swansea Council, work is also due to begin shortly on a street-plaza style facility at Victoria Park, with further contracts expected for upgrades at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill.

The council says improvements have already been completed at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, with additional developments planned for Blaenymaes, Bishopston, Clyne Valley, and a new junior pump track in Gorseinon.

Funding for the programme comes from a mix of ward member contributions, the community investment fund, community and town councils, and Welsh Government Active Travel funding.

#bmx #cllrAndrewStevens #curveStudio #elbaSportsCentre #gowerton #pumpTrack #skatePark #skatepark #sportsFacilities #swanseaCouncil #wheeledSports #ynystawe

£80,000 upgrade completed on Gower coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade

Swansea Council has completed the final two sections of the coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade, installing a 310‑metre concrete path that is 1.5 metres wide.

The full route stretches for 1.7km and has been subject to repeated works in recent years due to coastal erosion. In March, a new 450‑metre section was added, following a 270‑metre stretch completed in 2022.

The latest upgrade forms part of an £80,000 investment funded through the council’s highways maintenance programme.

Path strengthened against erosion

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said thousands of people use the Gower coast path each year and the council has acted to protect it.

“The section between Limeslade and Rotherslade has unfortunately been a victim of coastal erosion in recent years, and we have done all we can to create new sections and divert it away from the affected area. This has also given us the opportunity to create a more accessible walking route that everyone can access.”

Accessible for all

Cllr Stevens added:

“We have now completed the final two short sections that have not been upgraded. While they were not impacted by coastal erosion, they now provide improved access for families with pushchairs and also wheelchair users. We’ve chosen to invest some of our highways and transport budget to enable the upgrade to take place.”

Part of wider All Wales Coast Path

Swansea’s section of the All Wales Coast Path was officially opened in 2012, linking 61km of coastline around the peninsula. Walkers can trek from Swansea’s SA1 waterfront through Caswell Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanmadoc, right through to Loughor.

#cllrAndrewStevens #footpath #gower #gowerCoastPath #limeslade #rotherslade #swanseaCouncil #walesCoastPath

Councillor warns culvert collapse could leave Cwmbwrla at risk over Christmas

At the full council meeting on 6 November 2025, Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) told members that homes had once again been inundated after water levels rose higher than in previous floods. He cautioned that until the culvert is rebuilt, the risk of repeat flooding remains.

Black said one of the pumps failed early during the storm, leaving the council “without control of the situation,” and urged urgent measures to provide extra resilience for residents.

Praise for drainage and clean‑up teams

Other councillors acknowledged the scale of the challenge and praised highways and drainage staff for their response. Andrew Stevens (Labour, Gorseinon) said teams had been called in to deal with over 40,000 drains across Swansea, working through the night to keep roads open. Cllr Peter May (Uplands Party, Uplands) described their efforts as “A1,” noting floodwaters dissipated within hours thanks to their work.

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) also thanked staff, stressing that officers had worked “diligently” to keep services running during the storm.

Their praise echoed earlier coverage by Swansea Bay News, which reported how council teams worked through the night to clear debris and reopen the Cwmbwrla roundabout following the floods. The clean‑up operation was described as “superb,” with staff ensuring the busy junction was made safe for traffic again.

Collapsed culvert at Cwmfelin Club

Council Leader Rob Stewart (Labour, Morriston) stressed that the repeated flooding at Cwmbwrla was not caused by blocked drains but by the collapsed culvert on private land near the Cwmfelin Club:

“There is a specific issue relating to a collapsed culvert on private land. It cannot handle the water it would normally take away from that area.”

Cllr Peter Black CBE (Liberal Democrats, Cwmbwrla) warned that the repair work will take months, leaving residents exposed to further risk if temporary pumps are overwhelmed:

“This is not going to be fixed before Christmas. This is not going to be fixed until January at the very earliest and it’s going to have more torrential rain events like that again. And we cannot sustain another flood like that in Cwmbwrla if we can help it.”

Wider impact across Swansea

Councillors noted flooding affected wards across the city, with leaf fall adding to the challenge of keeping gullies clear. Swansea Council has already urged residents to help by reporting hotspots where leaves are piling up on pavements and roads, as cleansing teams step up their seasonal clear‑up.

Over recent weeks, crews have removed hundreds of tonnes of leaves across the city, with extra resources diverted from other cleansing work to keep drains clear and footpaths safe. A new leaf‑sucking and mulching machine is being used to vacuum up large piles of leaves and shred them into mulch for disposal — allowing teams to cover more ground more quickly.

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said the new kit would help crews lift even more leaves efficiently, but warned:

“It only takes a couple of days of wind and rain to see a further build‑up, particularly in areas with lots of trees.”

Residents are being encouraged to report problem areas directly to the cleansing team so they can be prioritised for clearance.

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Making a splash: Swansea swim school wins gold accreditation from Swim Wales

The charitable and not‑for‑profit trust, which manages 29 leisure centres across Wales, was awarded the highest quality mark available for delivering the Learn to Swim Wales programme. The Gold Accreditation recognises excellence in governance, sustainability and effectiveness in swimming education, going beyond basic industry standards and safeguarding guidelines.

A milestone for Swansea

Freedom Leisure manages Swansea’s leisure centres on behalf of the city council and currently supports around 4,000 swimmers through its Learn to Swim programme. The scheme is delivered by a highly skilled team of teachers, offering lessons to both children and adults.

Chief Executive Officer Ivan Horsfall Turner said the award was a proud moment:

“We are delighted to have been Gold Accredited by Swim Wales for our Learn to Swim programme and extremely proud to be the first leisure operator in Wales to have achieved this accolade.”

He added that the partnership with Swim Wales helps provide children and adults with confidence in the water, particularly important in coastal areas such as Swansea.

Recognition from Swim Wales

Swim Wales Chief Executive Officer Fergus Feeney praised the achievement:

“This distinction demonstrates a sustained commitment to excellence in swimming education, ensuring that children and adults across Swansea have access to the highest standard of opportunities to acquire a vital life skill.”

Learn to Swim Manager Hanna Guise added that Freedom Leisure had shown “just how committed they are to providing their learners with the highest quality learn to swim offer,” setting a benchmark for other providers.

Local impact

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure, said the award reflected the quality and dedication of the team:

“It’s reassuring to know that our leisure centres – run on behalf of the council by Freedom Leisure – are providing such high‑quality tuition that is recognised nationally.”

He added that the recognition highlighted the strength of the partnership between Swansea Council and Freedom Leisure, delivering opportunities that benefit residents of all ages.

#CllrAndrewStevens #FreedomLeisure #LearnToSwimWales #LeisureCentre #Penlan #PenlanLeisureCentre #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaLeisureCentres #SwimWales #swimming

Families celebrate first new play area at Parc Gwernfadog in 25 years

The site, located on land behind Morriston Comprehensive School, offers a vibrant mix of equipment for toddlers and juniors. Features include a slide built into the bank, cradle and flat‑seat swings, and a dish roundabout designed so children of all abilities can join in.

The playground is part of Swansea Council’s £8 million programme to transform dozens of play areas across the city. While Parc Gwernfadog has gained its first new facility in a generation, other parks in Morriston and nearby communities have also been refurbished under the scheme.

Community‑shaped design

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the investment was about creating safe and inclusive spaces across Swansea:

“We’re investing in a new generation of play areas to give children all across Swansea the chance to enjoy safe, fun and inclusive spaces in their communities.”

The design of the Parc Gwernfadog site was shaped by feedback from local families and councillors. Councillor Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, added:

“We want children to have the best possible start in life and that includes having access to safe and fun places to play.”

Built to last

The council says that all equipment has been selected for durability, safety and accessibility, with robust materials and a layout that encourages imaginative play and social interaction.

The playground was installed by Dragon Play, which has delivered a number of new parks across Swansea.

Other Morriston‑area improvements

In addition to Parc Gwernfadog, several other playgrounds in and around Morriston have recently been upgraded as part of the council’s programme. These include:

• Llansamlet Playground
• Llangyfelach Playground
• Morriston Park Playground (phase 1)
• Craig Cefn Parc Playground
• Heol Tir Du Playground
• DFS (Nixon Terrace) Playground
• Parc Llewelyn Playground
• Tregof Village Playground

Part of a city‑wide programme

Beyond Morriston, the £8m investment has already delivered improvements at sites such as Victoria Park in St Helen’s, Knoyle Playground in Penlan, Parc yr Helig in Birchgrove, Bracelet Bay in Mumbles, and many more across Swansea.

Further projects are under construction or planned, including Long Ridge in Mayhill, Mynydd Newydd in Penderry, and Trallwn in Llansamlet.

Council leaders say the aim is to ensure every community benefits from modern, inclusive play facilities, with designs shaped by feedback from local families and councillors.

Funding for the project was provided by Swansea Council. More information on playground improvements across the city is available at www.swansea.gov.uk/newplaygrounds.

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#CllrAndrewStevens #CllrRobStewart #DragonPlay #Morriston #MorristonComprehensiveSchool #ParcGwernfadogPlayground #park #playground #playgroundUpgrade #roundabout #slide #SwanseaCouncil #swings

New train sculpture unveiled in Gowerton celebrates Swansea’s railway heritage

The ironwork installation, designed in the form of the front end of a steam locomotive, now stands at the junction of Sterry Road and Gorwydd Road – the exact site of the former Gowerton South railway station. The station was once part of the London and North Western Railway (LNWR), which operated between 1867 and 1964 and played a key role in the area’s industrial growth.

Part of Active Travel placemaking

The project is the latest artwork commissioned by Swansea Council through the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Placemaking programme, which adds cultural and historic features to walking and cycling routes across the city.

It follows the unveiling of a life‑size horse sculpture along the Clydach canal towpath in 2022, created from more than 800 horseshoes to celebrate the animals that once pulled barges along the waterways.

‘An iconic landmark’

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the new locomotive sculpture was both a celebration of history and a boost for the community:

“As part of our ongoing active travel plans, we have the opportunity to celebrate our past history and help remind people how many of the city’s communities were shaped by transport services.

The latest sculpture is really impressive and now serves as a fantastic and iconic landmark for the residents of Gowerton and also for visitors. I hope it will receive the same warm praise that the horse sculpture in Clydach has also received.”

New link for walkers and cyclists

The unveiling also marks the completion of a vital active travel link at the current Gowerton train station. The new off‑road route connects the community with Kingsbridge and Gorseinon, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safe way to cross the railway and making it easier to combine cycling with train travel into Swansea city centre.

Cllr Stevens added:

“Gowerton’s current link to our rail transport services plays a huge part in offering locals alternative ways to travel. The newly opened link provides even more opportunities for commuters to mix cycling and rail with their travel plans, while also giving walkers and cyclists a safe option for crossing the station.”

Swansea Council says further walking and cycling routes are being developed across the city to promote sustainable and healthy travel.

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Two new councillors join Swansea Council Cabinet in reshuffle

Councillors Rebecca Fogarty and Andrew Williams will share the new post of Corporate Services following a mini‑reshuffle prompted by the temporary absence of long‑serving Cabinet Member Robert Francis‑Davies, who is taking leave due to ill‑health.

Job share approach

Council leader Rob Stewart said the move reflected Swansea’s commitment to flexible leadership and resilience.

“We all want to wish Cllr Francis‑Davies a speedy recovery during his temporary leave of absence.

In the meantime, I want to welcome Cllr Fogarty and Cllr Williams to their new roles. By introducing a second job share post, we are embracing new ways of working that support Cabinet Members and ensure we remain resilient and responsive to the needs of our residents,” he said.

It is the second job share arrangement within the Cabinet. The first, covering Community Services and Support, has been jointly held by councillors Cyril Anderson and Hayley Gwilliam for several years.

Portfolios divided

Under the new structure:

• Cllr Fogarty will oversee the mayoralty, civic functions and commercial services, among other duties.
• Cllr Williams will take responsibility for performance, including planning, public protection, performance monitoring, customer services and licensing.

Other Cabinet members will also see their portfolios adjusted:

• Joint Deputy Leader Cllr David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Delivery, will add parks, sports development and inward investment to his existing responsibilities for health and safety and building control.
• Joint Deputy Leader Cllr Andrea Williams, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation, will now also oversee residential inward investment and strategic housing delivery.
• Council Leader Rob Stewart will work alongside Cllr Hopkins and Cllr Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, on tourism and regeneration, areas previously led by Cllr Francis‑Davies.
• Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, will take on EV infrastructure and sports development, while also working with the Leader and Cllr Hopkins on community regeneration and suburban centres.

Focus on residents

Cllr Stewart said the reshaped Cabinet would ensure continuity and focus.

“Swansea Council is always here for the people of our city. We’ve re‑shaped the Cabinet and brought two new members on board to make sure we remain focussed on our residents’ priorities, delivering the services that touch their lives every day.”

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New home for council revealed in Swansea city centre
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Final stretch of Gower coast path to be upgraded by end of 2025

Swansea Council has confirmed that two remaining sections — totalling just over 300 metres — will be resurfaced and widened by the end of next year, following earlier improvements funded through the Welsh Government’s Wales Coast Path grant scheme.

The upgrade will mean temporary closures along parts of the route, with diversion signs in place to guide walkers.

In recent years, the path has been rerouted to avoid areas affected by coastal erosion. A 450-metre section was completed in March, adding to a 270-metre diversion built in 2022.

Now, the Council is investing £80,000 from its highways and transport budget to finish the job.

“A well-loved asset for the city”

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the path was one of Swansea’s most popular walking routes.

“Thousands of people walk it each year. The section between Limeslade and Rotherslade has unfortunately been a victim of coastal erosion in recent years, and we’ve done all we can to create new sections and divert it away from the affected area.”

He said the final upgrades would improve accessibility for families with pushchairs and wheelchair users.

“There are now two short sections that have not been upgraded. While they’re not currently impacted by erosion, they would benefit from a similar upgrade to the others. We’ve chosen to invest in this work to make sure the route is safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

The Gower coast path forms part of the wider Wales Coast Path, which stretches 870 miles around the country’s shoreline.

#CllrAndrewStevens #coastalErosion #Gower #GowerCoastPath #Limeslade #Rotherslade #SwanseaCouncil #WalesCoastPath

Health Board insists Gorseinon Hospital will not close as councillors press case for in‑patient services

The Health Board says the move — first reported by Swansea Bay News earlier this week — is being considered due to staffing pressures on the hospital’s in‑patient ward. The beds, known as “step‑down” beds, are used by patients who no longer need acute hospital care but are not yet ready to return home, and serve people from across the Health Board area, not just Gorseinon.

The Health Board says the proposal — first reported by Swansea Bay News earlier this week — is in response to “serious concerns around the staffing of the 30‑bed ward and how it could impact on patient safety going forwards.”

In a detailed statement, it said:

“The West Ward at Gorseinon provides 30 ‘step down’ beds that enable patients to bridge the gap between hospital care and home. The beds serve a much wider population than the immediate Gorseinon area – patients from across the entire Swansea area as well as some from the Neath Port Talbot area are cared for there.

Apart from the West Ward, Gorseinon Hospital is also home to a range of other services including outpatient, blood test and community services. These will not be affected by the temporary closure – Gorseinon Hospital will remain an important part of the Swansea Bay University Health Board estate.

High levels of staff sickness and other availability issues have resulted in excessively high usage of agency and temporary staff to fill gaps on shifts, sometimes as much as 50% of the total staffing. This hinders good team working and places additional pressure on substantive staff who often have to supervise and support the agency and temporary workers.

A number of concerns have been raised by staff from a range of professional disciplines at Gorseinon regarding the West Ward and these concerns continue to be raised. While measures have been taken to address the issues raised, we are clear that they have not had the impact needed.

This is not considered sustainable and the clinical advice the Board has received… is that this raises serious, red flag safety concerns that need to be addressed. That’s why plans are currently being put in place to pre‑empt safety related incidents through the transfer of the 30 beds to Singleton on a temporary basis from 1 October.

Temporarily transferring the West Ward to Singleton and consolidating the relevant staff there will allow teams to support one another and enable the Health Board to manage staffing pressures more effectively, reducing our dependency on agency staff.

Transferring the beds will also ensure that staff can access wider nursing, therapy and medical support at Singleton as well as leadership capacity.

Should the temporary transfer of the West Ward beds proceed, the Health Board will seek to use the freed‑up space at Gorseinon for other NHS healthcare purposes.

Longer term, the Health Board will engage with the public on the best way of providing the ‘step down’ service as part of the development of its Clinical Services Plan… Engagement… will include talking with the public… about how we make sure that the Hospital remains a vibrant centre focused on the healthcare of our local population – that is our entire focus.

No other non‑Health Board purposes are being considered for the West Ward at Gorseinon in the short, medium or long term and no requests have been received. For the avoidance of doubt, false rumours circulating online that the West Ward will be repurposed to house asylum seekers are entirely baseless and completely untrue.”

Councillors meet Health Board

Gorseinon councillors Andrew Stevens, Jan Curtice and Nicola Matthews met yesterday with Health Board chair Emma Woollett and senior staff, alongside fellow councillors Kelly Roberts, Adam Davis and Robert Smith, to discuss the hospital’s future.

In a joint statement, they said they had been assured there were no plans to close the hospital, but expressed frustration at only learning of the proposals via social media — something the Health Board apologised for.

“While temporary changes to the in‑patient ward are being proposed, the Health Board is looking at potential expansion of other services,” they said. “We as councillors want Gorseinon Hospital to be used for in‑patient as well as out‑patient services and will continue to make this case forcefully. They envision a strong, robust future for Gorseinon Hospital and recognise its historic and community importance.”

The councillors stressed the decision is not one for the local authority, but pledged to remain “fully committed” to the hospital and to push for it to “go from strength to strength”.

Petition launched

A petition calling for services at Gorseinon Hospital to be protected has so far attracted 876 signatures. The petition, titled Save Services at Gorseinon Hospital, can be found on Change.org.

Decision expected this month

The Health Board says it is putting plans in place for the possible transfer of beds and will make a final decision later this month. In the meantime, all other services at Gorseinon Hospital will continue as normal.

#CllrAndrewStevens #CllrJanCurtice #CllrNicolaMatthews #Gorseinon #GorseinonHospital #SwanseaBayNHS

AI speed signs to target motorbike riders in Swansea trial

Swansea Council’s road safety team has worked with specialist sign manufacturers to develop a warning system designed specifically for motorbikes. The new roadside signs — thought to be the first of their kind in Wales — use AI cameras and thermal imaging to identify motorcycles from other traffic.

When a rider approaches, the sign displays their speed. If they are over the limit, a ‘SLOW’ warning flashes up.

First trial site in Cwmdu

One of the first locations for the trial is a section of Carmarthen Road in Cwmdu, where two motorcyclists have died since 2012.

Police data shows motorbikes have been involved in almost 15% of vehicle collisions in Swansea over the past three years — above the Welsh average of 12%.

The council hopes the signs will prompt speeding riders to slow down, reducing the risk of serious crashes. If the trial works, up to 20 more hotspots could get the technology.

£333k Welsh Government funding

The £333,000 project is funded through a Welsh Government Road Safety Grant.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“We’ve identified a number of locations where motorcycle riders are most vulnerable when using excessive speed.

We now have an opportunity, using the latest AI technology, to assist riders with more information on the road to remind them of local speed limits and hopefully encourage them to ride responsibly and reduce the risk of an accident.”

Wider road safety work

The council’s road safety team has also worked with South Wales Police to offer free Bike Safe workshops, giving riders extra training to improve safety.

Cllr Stevens said previous traffic‑calming measures and the Bike Safe scheme had already helped reduce vehicle‑related accidents year on year.

#AI #artificialIntelligence #BikeSafe #CarmarthenRoad #CllrAndrewStevens #Cwmdu #motorbike #motorcycle #motoring #speedSigns #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil