#gowerton — Public Fediverse posts

GOWERTON: Council still investigating cause of Cecil Road sinkhole — one month after residents first raised the alarm

The cause of the sinkhole that opened up on Cecil Road in Gowerton remains unknown, Swansea Council has confirmed, with temporary traffic lights now in place while highways teams continue to investigate — almost a month after residents first warned that the ground was sinking.

The local authority confirmed in a statement to Swansea Bay News that one lane of the B4296 between Gowerton and Dunvant remains controlled by temporary lights while officers work to establish what is causing the road to give way. Repairs will follow once the cause has been identified.

Council statement

Responding to questions from Swansea Bay News, the council said its highways team had attended the site after reports of a sinkhole forming at the junction of Cecil Road and Garrod Avenue.

“Our highways teams have recently attended Garrod Avenue/Cecil Road, following reports of a sinkhole,” the statement said.

“The road remains open to traffic and temporary traffic lights have been installed while investigations take place into the cause of the sinkhole.

“Once we have established the cause, repairs will be undertaken as quickly as possible.”

Reported a month ago

The council has now confirmed that the sinkhole was first reported to its highways team around a month ago. Officers responded to those initial reports and carried out a patch repair at the time — but the ground continued to move, opening up further over the bank holiday weekend and reaching the point at which one lane had to be closed and temporary lights installed.

The earliest public warning came from local residents on social media. Writing in a community Facebook group on 29 April, Gowerton resident Ramesy Awad said he had spotted a “new sinkhole appearing opposite Gowerton Comp,” describing a wet patch in the middle of the road that was visibly sinking by the day and “heading towards Garrod Avenue.”

Mr Awad said he had already reported the problem to local councillors the day before — and made what has turned out to be an accurate prediction: “Watch this space for a road closure in the near future.”

Four weeks later, that prediction has come true.

Councillors raised early concerns

In the same Facebook thread, Mr Awad confirmed he had contacted Labour councillor Cllr Louise Gibbard about the problem. He was also responded to publicly by Cllr Susan Jones, who said she had referred the matter to the council’s highways team for further checks.

Patch repair did not hold

The fact that a patch repair was carried out at the time of those initial reports — only for the ground to open up again weeks later — underlines why the council is now looking more closely at what is causing the road to subside.

A routine pothole or surface fault would normally be resolved by such a repair. The continued movement of the ground at Cecil Road suggests a deeper underlying issue, which is what highways officers are now working to identify.

Road remains open

The B4296 between Gowerton and Dunvant remains open in both directions, but drivers should expect delays through the morning and evening rush hours while temporary lights manage flow through the affected section.

The council has not yet given any timetable for completing the investigation, identifying the cause, or starting repairs.

Form for Gowerton sinkholes

This is not the first sinkhole to affect roads in the Gowerton area in recent years. In March 2024 a separate sinkhole forced the closure of another road in the area while investigations and repairs took place over the course of several days.

With the cause of the Cecil Road sinkhole still unknown and no timetable for repairs, residents and commuters using the B4296 face an indefinite period of disruption — a month after the first warning signs were spotted, and despite an earlier attempt to patch the road over.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

GOWERTON: Sinkhole closes lane on main route to Dunvant — commuters warned to expect delays as month-old warning becomes reality
Our original coverage of the Cecil Road sinkhole and the resident warning that preceded it.

Sinkhole causes Gowerton road to be closed off (March 2024)
A separate Gowerton sinkhole caused road closures and several days of repair work just over two years ago.

More news from Gowerton
Our latest coverage from Gowerton and the surrounding area.

GOWERTON: Sinkhole closes lane on main route to Dunvant — commuters warned to expect delays as month-old warning becomes reality

Drivers using one of the main routes out of Gowerton are being warned to expect delays after a sinkhole opened up on the road heading towards Dunvant.

The hole appeared on Cecil Road — the B4296 — just south of Gowerton Comprehensive School’s main gate, heading in the direction of Dunvant.

Lane closed, lights in place

Temporary traffic lights have been put in place at the site, with one lane closed off around the hole. Officers from South Wales Police were on the scene yesterday evening with vehicles positioned to manage traffic past the closure.

Cllr Andrew Williams, who represents the neighbouring Penclawdd ward and serves as Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Development, also confirmed the closure on Facebook last night, alerting residents to the disruption and warning that delays are likely during the morning commute.

In a post on a local community group, Cllr Williams said temporary lights had been installed and one lane was closed, adding that highways engineers were expected to attend in the morning to assess the damage.

A separate report from local resident Paul Terry, shared in another Gowerton community Facebook group, also confirmed the hole had appeared roughly 200 to 300 yards past the school’s main gate heading towards Dunvant.

Spotted weeks ago by local residents

The Cecil Road sinkhole did not appear overnight. A post in the Gowerton Residents Facebook group on 27 April flagged a “wet patch sinking day by day in the middle of the road heading towards Garrod Avenue,” opposite Gowerton Comprehensive School — the same spot where the road has now collapsed.

Local resident Ramsey Awad, who flagged the deteriorating road surface, said at the time he had passed the warning on to local councillors and predicted a road closure “in the near future.”

Replying in the same group, Cllr Susan Jones — Independent councillor for Gowerton ward and the newly-named Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea — said she had passed the matter on to Swansea Council’s Highways team for inspection.

Swansea Bay News has approached Swansea Council to ask what action was taken between the original report and the road’s collapse.

Key commuter route

Cecil Road forms part of the B4296, one of the principal routes linking Gowerton to Dunvant, and continues as Garrod Avenue as it heads south towards Dunvant village.

The road carries significant volumes of commuter traffic during morning and evening peaks, with parents and pupils heading to Gowerton Comprehensive School also affected.

Alternative routes between the two villages are limited, with most options involving narrow single-track lanes — meaning traffic is likely to back up at the temporary lights through the morning rush.

What happens next

Highways engineers from Swansea Council are expected to visit the site this morning to determine the cause of the sinkhole and the scale of repairs required.

Sinkholes on residential roads can be caused by a range of factors, including failure of underground utility infrastructure, water main leaks, or the collapse of older drainage culverts. The “wet patch” reported by residents weeks ago will be of particular interest to engineers in determining the cause.

The duration of the closure will depend on what is found beneath the surface. Some sinkhole repairs can be completed within a single working day; others — particularly those linked to deeper infrastructure failures — can require lane closures lasting days or even weeks.

Swansea Council has been approached for an updated statement.

This is a breaking story. Swansea Bay News will update as further information becomes available from the council and highways engineers.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

More Gowerton news from Swansea Bay News
Our latest coverage from Gowerton and the surrounding area.

More Dunvant news from Swansea Bay News
Our latest coverage from Dunvant and the western Swansea suburbs.

CARMARTHEN: Lumo to launch direct Carmarthen to London Paddington service in December 2027 — with stops at Llanelli and Gowerton

The long-awaited direct rail service between Carmarthen and London Paddington is set to launch in December 2027, after train operator Lumo confirmed it has five new Hitachi trains on order for the route.

The route was first approved by the rail regulator in 2022 after a drawn-out battle with Great Western Railway, which operates its own south Wales to London Paddington services and had opposed the application. The original proposals were submitted by Grand Union Trains, which secured regulatory approval before selling its rights to the route to FirstGroup in 2024.

Lumo – FirstGroup’s open access train brand – will now operate the service, running five return journeys a day between Carmarthen and London Paddington. The service will call at Llanelli, Gowerton, Cardiff, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.

A Lumo spokesperson confirmed the launch plans. The service will use single-class standard seating across all five new trains, with the operator describing its aim as bringing affordable open access travel to even more communities.

The route puts Lumo in direct competition with GWR on the south Wales to London corridor – and there is an added layer of complexity to that rivalry. Both Lumo and GWR are owned by FirstGroup, meaning the parent company will effectively be competing with itself on the route.

GWR is also scheduled to be absorbed into Great British Railways as part of the UK Government’s rail nationalisation programme – though the timeline for that transition remains unclear.

GWR said it welcomed enhancements on the route but cautioned that any new services should not be detrimental to existing services or to future services already agreed.

A spokesperson said the company would continue working with industry partners to ensure railway services were developed in the best way for passengers and taxpayers.

Carmarthenshire County Council threw its support behind the original Grand Union proposals when they were being considered by the regulator, making the case that a direct London service would bring significant economic benefits to west Wales.

The confirmation of a December 2027 launch date comes as Welsh Labour separately pledged a direct Milford Haven to London service as part of its Senedd election manifesto, backed by £50 million of investment in the Milford Haven to Carmarthen line.

The Lumo service would not serve Milford Haven or Pembroke Dock directly, but would give passengers at Carmarthen, Llanelli and Gowerton a genuine alternative to GWR on the London route for the first time.

Lumo declined to provide projected passenger numbers for its first years of operation.

Our coverage of the Carmarthen to London rail route

Regulator approves new Grand Union train service from Carmarthen to London Paddington
The 2022 decision that set the route on its current path.

Grand Union Trains submits fresh proposals to run service from Carmarthen to London
The original proposals that started the process.

Council throws support behind new intercity train service between Carmarthen and London Paddington
Carmarthenshire County Council’s backing for the route.

Union flag rail designs unveiled – south-west Wales impact comes later
What GBR nationalisation means for rail services in our region.

SWANSEA: Could the city be home to a new Eden Project-style resort? The team behind Xanadoo are actively looking for a site

A world-class visitor attraction inspired by Cornwall’s Eden Project is being considered for Swansea – but the developers say no site has yet been identified and they are actively inviting anyone with a suitable location to get in touch.

The project is called Xanadoo – a name that echoes Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous 1797 poem Kubla Khan, in which Xanadu is the pleasure dome of Kublai Khan, a place of magnificence and wonder. Xanadu also featured in Olivia Newton-John’s 1980 hit of the same name, giving the word a warm pop culture resonance for many visitors who would be the target audience. The developers have given it their own distinctive spelling.

Behind the plans is Gaynor Coley, one of the founders of Cornwall’s Eden Project, which transformed a former clay mine into a botanical garden and generated an estimated £6 billion in economic impact for Cornwall and the West Country over 30 years. Coley’s firm, Road to Happiness, which she runs with partner Susan Hill who also worked at the Eden Project, is behind the Xanadoo concept.

Coley, who is originally from Cwmbran, said she believed Xanadoo could do for south Wales what the Eden Project did for Cornwall. “We believe Xanadoo can do the same for south Wales as the Eden Project did for Cornwall. It will bring sustainable tourism, support hospitality and creativity, storytelling, digital and health and wellbeing,” she said.

The prospectus for the project estimates a site could attract 600,000 visitors a year and generate £15 million in annual revenue while employing 250 full-time staff, with an overall economic impact of £840 million over 30 years. The resort would have four core elements – a Gallery of Marvellous Solutions showcasing exhibits currently in storage in galleries and museums across the world; a food and craft market; a Tomorrow’s World innovation exhibit using VR and augmented reality; and a giant playground.

The primary focus of the developers appears to be south-east Wales, with Road to Happiness currently in discussions with Torfaen Borough Council, having previously worked with them on redesigning Greenmeadow Community Farm in Cwmbran. Sites in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent are being actively considered. Swansea is mentioned as an additional possibility – with Coley saying she is “still open minded” and “actively looking for sites” in Swansea alongside Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

No specific Swansea site has been named and no discussions with Swansea Council have been confirmed. Online commenters have already begun speculating about potential locations – with the former Felindre Steelworks site emerging as one suggestion. The 16-hectare Parc Felindre site on the northern fringe of Swansea is the former Felindre Tinplate Works, remediated by a joint venture between Swansea Council and the Welsh Government, but it has remained largely undeveloped despite years of attempts to market it as a business and industrial park.

The steelworks employed 2,500 people at its peak in the 1970s before closing in 1989 – giving the site an industrial heritage that could echo Eden’s own clay mine origins. The site is well connected to the M4 at junction 46, though it sits well north of the city centre and the main tourist corridors.

If Swansea were selected, it would join a city that has been steadily building its credentials as a visitor destination. The Skyline development on Kilvey Hill is transforming one of the city’s most prominent landmarks into a major tourist attraction. The Hafod Morfa Copperworks – where Penderyn Distillery has opened a visitor experience – is being brought back to life as a heritage and hospitality destination in the Lower Swansea Valley.

Plans for an aquarium and lido at the Civic Centre site are also advancing, and beyond the city itself, the Gower Peninsula – the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – remains one of Wales’s most powerful draws for visitors, giving any major attraction in the area access to an already-established tourist catchment.

Torfaen Borough Council has discussed the project formally, though its deputy chief executive described it as a “potential tourism product” at “very, very early stages.” The concept film produced for Xanadoo describes it as seeking an iconic new-build or heritage site in south-east Wales – a region with a “powerful industrial legacy, dramatic landscapes and major nearby catchments.”

Whether Swansea ultimately features in those plans remains to be seen. Coley has encouraged anyone who thinks there is a location that could be right for Xanadoo to get in touch with Road to Happiness directly.

Swansea’s growing visitor economy

Council approves plan for Skyline development on Kilvey Hill
The ambitious hilltop attraction already transforming Swansea’s skyline.

Welsh business chosen to bring new life to Swansea heritage buildings
The Hafod Morfa Copperworks coming back to life as a heritage and hospitality destination.

New artist’s impression reveals dramatic transformation planned for Swansea’s Civic Centre
Plans for an aquarium, lido and major redevelopment of the civic centre site.

Gower: The UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty turns 70
Why Gower remains one of Wales’s most powerful draws for visitors.

All the exciting plans for Swansea as part of the £1bn regeneration programme
The full picture of Swansea’s transformation ambitions.

GOWERTON: Persimmon’s Fairwood Terrace plans dealt massive blow as Welsh Government orders full environmental assessment

Campaigners fighting Persimmon Homes’ proposed 216-home development at Fairwood Terrace in Gowerton have won a landmark ruling after a Welsh Government planning inspector ordered the scheme to undergo a full Environmental Impact Assessment – directly accepting their argument that the developer cannot treat each planning application in the area as if the others do not exist.

The ruling, issued by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), reverses previous decisions on the Fairwood Terrace site and represents a significant setback for Persimmon Homes, which had been appealing Swansea Council‘s 2024 refusal of the scheme on traffic grounds. The inspector has ruled that the 216-home proposal cannot be looked at in isolation – it must be assessed alongside the wider strategic allocation, including a 460-home site and a 600-home scheme also promoted by Persimmon in the same corridor.

Save Gowerton from Gridlock, the community group led by Carl Jones which has fought the development for years, described the ruling as incredible news. The group said the inspector’s acceptance of what they call the “salami-slicing” argument – the practice of breaking a large strategic site into separate applications to avoid cumulative scrutiny – was a “massive victory.”

The ruling also found there was “insufficient certainty” that pollution and nutrient levels in the Burry Inlet could be mitigated, triggering what campaigners describe as the precautionary principle – meaning the law now demands the highest level of environmental scrutiny before any decision can be made.

Persimmon Homes now have 21 days to decide their next move. They can accept the ruling and commission the full Environmental Impact Assessment – a process expected to take between six and twelve months and involving expensive, large-scale environmental studies covering traffic, flood risk, pollution and ecological impact. Alternatively, if they refuse to provide the required report, the inspector can effectively dismiss the appeal entirely.

Save Gowerton from Gridlock say they have already contacted PEDW to ensure the group is formally consulted on the scoping of the new studies, giving them the opportunity to ensure that every traffic bottleneck and flood risk is included in the environmental workload.

The Fairwood Terrace site has been at the centre of one of Swansea’s most fiercely contested planning disputes. Plans were first drawn up in 2022, when Persimmon proposed around 230 homes on land between the River Llan and the railway line beside Gowerton station. The scheme also included a new station forecourt with a potential park-and-ride, a bus-only link eastward toward Waunarlwydd, upgraded traffic lights at Fairwood Terrace’s junction with Victoria Road, and a walking and cycling connection through to the neighbouring development site.

The proposal attracted nearly 900 objection letters and a 300-signature petition from residents who feared it would overwhelm already-congested junctions, increase flood risk and damage the character of the village. Swansea Council rejected the scheme on traffic grounds in 2024, despite planning officers advising that refusal would be difficult to defend at appeal. Persimmon subsequently appealed to the Welsh Government, and the case has been with PEDW ever since.

The Fairwood Terrace story so far

December 2022 – Persimmon first drew up plans for 230 homes at Fairwood Terrace, beside Gowerton station, as part of the Waunarlwydd North LDP allocation.

2024 – Swansea Council refused the application on traffic grounds despite officer support for approval, after nearly 900 objection letters and a 300-signature petition from local residents.

October 2025 – Persimmon unveiled a separate 600-home scheme south of the A484, directly opposite Bellway’s Parc Mawr development in Penllergaer, designed to link via an active travel route into Fairwood Terrace – raising fears of a continuous ribbon of housing along the entire A484 corridor.

April 2026 – Barratt and David Wilson Homes submitted a planning application for 430 homes on the Fforestfach/Waunarlwydd site – part of the same wider 716-home strategic allocation – further intensifying pressure on the corridor.

April 2026 – Welsh Government inspector rules the 216-home appeal must undergo a full Environmental Impact Assessment, accepting the “salami-slicing” argument. Persimmon now have 21 days to decide whether to commission the studies or walk away.

The backdrop to the dispute is a proposed continuous ribbon of housing stretching from Penllergaer through Gorseinon, Waunarlwydd and Gowerton along the A484. Persimmon’s separate 600-home scheme sits directly opposite Bellway’s Parc Mawr development in Penllergaer, designed to connect via an active travel route westward into Fairwood Terrace. Further along the same wider 716-home strategic allocation, Barratt and David Wilson Homes have now submitted a full planning application for 430 homes at Fforestfach.

If all the schemes along the corridor proceed, close to 3,000 new homes would be built in a continuous stretch – an amount campaigners say amounts to a new town stitched together along the A484. Today’s ruling that the Fairwood Terrace appeal must be assessed alongside those neighbouring sites is precisely the argument Save Gowerton from Gridlock has been making since the campaign began.

In February, Cllr Dai Jenkins told residents the fight was far from over as the appeal process stretched weeks beyond its original timetable. Jenkins had been pressing PEDW and Natural Resources Wales not to grant further extensions to Persimmon while the developer still owed information on nutrient neutrality and flood risk, and had called for a face-to-face hearing rather than a virtual process.

Today’s ruling vindicates that position. The inspector has accepted that the cumulative impact of the Fairwood Terrace scheme alongside the 460-home and 600-home sites must be formally assessed, and that the environmental uncertainty around the Burry Inlet is too significant to be set aside.

Carl Jones said the group had not yet won the war but had won a “massive battle.” He added that campaigners would continue to monitor the 21-day window closely and push for full consultation rights over whatever environmental studies Persimmon choose to commission, to ensure that every traffic pinchpoint, flood risk and pollution concern is properly included in the scope.

The decision is likely to be studied closely by communities facing similar large-scale planning applications across Swansea and the wider region, where cumulative development pressure along key arterial routes has been a recurring flashpoint.

More updates will follow as the 21-day deadline approaches.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gowerton housing row: ‘We’re still fighting’ says councillor as Fairwood Terrace appeal enters decisive phase
Cllr Dai Jenkins’ February update as Persimmon faced pressure to provide nutrient neutrality and flood risk information.

Continuous ribbon of housing could stretch from Penllergaer to Gowerton as new 600-home scheme unveiled
How Persimmon’s linked schemes could create close to 3,000 homes along the A484 corridor.

Fforestfach: Planning application put in for major housing development
Barratt and David Wilson Homes’ 430-home application on the wider Waunarlwydd North strategic allocation.

Plans drawn up for 230-home development near Gowerton train station
Where it all started – Persimmon’s original 2022 proposals for the Fairwood Terrace site.

A484: Average speed cameras to be installed between Cadle and Loughor Bridge after years of fatal accidents

A new average speed camera system is set to be installed on the A484 between the Cadle roundabout and Loughor Bridge, as Swansea Council moves to tackle a road that has seen a number of fatal accidents in recent years.

Swansea Council’s cabinet has confirmed the cameras will be accompanied by improved road markings and signs along the route. The scheme forms part of the council’s 2026/27 transport investment programme, backed by Welsh Government regional transport fund money.

The A484 between Cadle and Loughor Bridge was built as a bypass in phases during the 1980s and 1990s, relieving the original route through Penllergaer, Gorseinon and Loughor of through traffic. The bypass nature of the road means it carries significant volumes of fast-moving traffic, and the junction at Victoria Road in Gowerton is a known congestion hotspot, particularly during peak hours.

Unlike fixed speed cameras — which only capture vehicles at a single point — average speed cameras measure a driver’s speed across the entire length of the monitored zone, making it much harder to slow down at a known camera location and accelerate again in between.

The decision to use average speed cameras rather than fixed cameras reflects the nature of the route, which has seen persistent speeding problems across its full length rather than at isolated spots. The road has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents in recent years, and the case for stronger enforcement has been building for some time.

A businessman based along the affected stretch welcomed the move, saying the road was badly in need of action. “It could do with it — it’s a very fast road. And it’s a lot faster at night-time. They race up and down there,” he told reporters covering last week’s cabinet meeting.

The route links Swansea’s western suburbs with Gowerton and Gorseinon, continuing to Loughor and on towards the Carmarthenshire boundary and Llanelli — making it a key commuter corridor for communities along Swansea’s western fringe.

Average speed camera systems have been widely deployed across Wales on roads where persistent speeding has been linked to serious collisions. They are generally credited with producing more sustained reductions in average speeds than fixed cameras, because drivers cannot predict exactly where enforcement is occurring along the monitored stretch.

The scheme forms part of a broader £6.7 million transport investment package for Swansea in 2026/27, which also includes a new mile-long riverside walking and cycling path along the River Tawe, flood alleviation work at Killay Square and on the Gower road at Llandewi, new EV charging infrastructure and a £750,000 e-bike hire scheme.

Swansea Council’s Head of Service for Transport and Highways, Stuart Davies, said the funding would enable the council to deliver “a wide range of transport related projects that will benefit motorists, public transport users as well as pedestrians and cyclists.”

Road safety education programmes will also continue to be funded as part of the same settlement, the council’s cabinet heard — including the Kerbcraft scheme for children learning to cross roads safely, cycle safety training and Bike Safe courses for motorcyclists.

The A484 camera scheme is expected to be delivered during the current financial year, though the council has not yet confirmed when the cameras will become operational.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Flood fix: Funding confirmed to finally tackle Killay Square and Gower road misery
Two of Swansea’s worst flood hotspots are part of the same transport investment package.

Barges needed to build new £8m riverside cycle path linking city centre to Swansea.com Stadium
The headline project from the same 2026/27 transport settlement.

SWANSEA: Barges needed to build new £8m riverside cycle and walking path linking city centre to Swansea.com Stadium

A new walking and cycling route along the River Tawe has been given the green light by Swansea Council — with the project set to become one of the most ambitious pieces of active travel infrastructure the city has seen.

The path will run for a mile along the west bank of the Tawe, from a point north of the Tawe bridges through to the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks area — linking the city centre with the copperworks, Swansea.com Stadium and Morfa Retail Park for cyclists and pedestrians. It will be built in three phases and is expected to take three years to complete.

The total cost of the scheme, including design and project management, is £8.25 million. That will be funded through a combination of £6.6 million from the Welsh Government’s regional transport fund, £1.4 million from the UK Government, and a £250,000 developer contribution linked to a separate planning permission.

The council has confirmed the project will be a complex engineering undertaking. A new revetment — a reinforced structure to support the walkway along the riverbank — will need to be constructed, and sections of the work will have to be carried out from barges because of access restrictions along parts of the river corridor.

Once complete, the new path will connect with an existing stretch of shared-use path near the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks — an area undergoing a major heritage restoration that has attracted significant investment in recent years, including the arrival of Penderyn Distillery at the site. The new route will add to the 85 miles of shared-use paths already available across Swansea.

For cyclists and pedestrians, the route will offer a traffic-free connection between the city centre and a cluster of major destinations to the north — including Swansea.com Stadium, home of Swansea City AFC, and the growing Morfa Retail Park. The Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, one of Wales’ most significant industrial heritage sites, sits at the northern end of the route.

The three-phase approach to construction reflects both the engineering complexity of the project and the need to keep disruption manageable along a stretch of riverside that already attracts walkers and recreational users.

The Tawe path forms the headline project in a wider programme of cycling and walking investment confirmed for Swansea in 2026/27. Also included in the settlement is a £700,000 shared-use path linking Ffordd Beck in Gowerton to Pont Y Cob Road — a route that would finally deliver a safe connection between the two communities that has been in planning since 2022. At the moment there is no footpath between the two locations and the only provision for cyclists is a painted advisory route on a narrow main road.

A £500,000 upgrade of the existing shared-use path between Dunvant and Gowerton is also confirmed, widening the route to improve safety and capacity. Gowerton has been the focus of active travel investment in recent years — a new cycling and walking link to Gowerton station opened after significant delays, and the latest round of funding continues to build on that network.

Taken together, the three cycling and walking schemes represent a significant step forward for active travel connectivity across the western side of Swansea — connecting the city centre to the river corridor, and linking Gowerton more effectively to both Dunvant and Loughor.

Stuart Davies, Head of Service for Transport and Highways at Swansea Council, said the funding would enable the council to deliver “a wide range of transport related projects that will benefit motorists, public transport users as well as pedestrians and cyclists.”

The broader transport package for 2026/27 also includes a £750,000 e-bike hire scheme with up to 500 bikes to be made available for short trips across Swansea, further strengthening the active travel offer alongside the new infrastructure. Locations for the e-bike hire points have yet to be confirmed.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

New walking and cycling route proposed between Gowerton and Loughor
The long-planned Pont Y Cob Road route between Gowerton and Loughor — now funded for construction.

Gowerton’s long-awaited cycle and walking link to station finally opens after delays
The most recent active travel milestone in Gowerton, which the new investment builds on.

Penderyn Distillery handed keys to new Morfa Copperworks site in Swansea
One of the major regeneration projects at the northern end of the new Tawe riverside path.

New images show how heritage sites at Swansea’s Strand, Hafod Copperworks and museum could be transformed
The wider regeneration vision for the area at the northern end of the new Tawe path.

GOWERTON: Dramatic scenes as skip lorry loses control after hitting Railway bridge

A bridge that has been crashed into dozens of times over the years has been struck once again in Gowerton, temporarily closing the road from vehicle access.

Trafle Mill railway bridge, located on Victoria Road in Gowerton, which has a height limit of 3.3 metres, is a notorious accident blackspot, hit over 30 times in the past decade, often by tall lorries and buses.

As of 2026, it remains one of Wales’ most frequently struck bridges, causing significant traffic delays and rail safety checks. 

Despite existing signage and warnings, vehicles continue to hit the bridge. Network Rail has previously installed extra warning signs and laser sensors to alert drivers, but still accidents occur.

The most recent notable vehicle strike occurred in April 2023, when a van hit the bridge, requiring police assistance for traffic management. Other significant strikes in recent years include: 

• May 2022: An agricultural vehicle struck the bridge, leading to a temporary road closure for damage assessment.
• August 2020: A Swansea Council refuse collection vehicle (bin lorry) hit the bridge, causing significant tailbacks and disrupting local bus services.
• March 2020: A Kingsmill bread van had its roof sliced off while attempting to pass underneath.
• October 2019: A lorry’s roof was completely ripped off, which prompted rail service delays as a safety precaution. 

On this occasion, the road was closed in both directions on the B4296 and the A484 roundabout (near the old ‘the Wave’ studios) for some time, with South Wales Police present.

Local resident, Mark Needs captured the dramatic scenes below.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the accident, with the Force confirming the road had reopened later in the evening.

[Lead image: Julian Morgan]

GOWERTON: Sterry Road closure could be eased after structural report — but schools return to disruption next week

In a video update posted to social media on Saturday morning, the ward councillor said he had been liaising directly with a specialist building control manager at Swansea Council, and that a team had been commissioned to assess what remains of the Victorian building. He said the road could reopen fully or partially depending on what the report finds, and promised to update the community as soon as the findings were known.

The building was gutted by fire on Easter Monday afternoon, when crews from six fire stations — Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West — attended the blaze at the derelict three-storey structure at 1.13pm. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire, and the scale of the response required a full multi-agency attendance including structural engineers, the local highways department, National Grid, the gas board and South Wales Police alongside fire crews.

Cllr Jenkins also flagged growing concern about the impact on traffic when schools return after the Easter holidays next week. Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s busiest streets — a main shopping artery for the village, home to local businesses including the Gowerton Fish and Chips shop immediately next door to the damaged building, and a key bus route connecting Swansea to Waunarlwydd, Gowerton and Gorseinon. Its continued closure has caused significant disruption to residents, businesses and commuters throughout the week, and the councillor warned that congestion was likely to worsen once the school run resumes.

The councillor thanked the fire brigade and police for securing the area and making it safe in the aftermath of the blaze. He also raised the possibility that the fire may have been started deliberately, saying that if that proved to be the case, those responsible had put the lives of firefighters, officers and the public at risk.

South Wales Police confirmed earlier this week that a formal fire investigation was not required. Sterry Road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage that there was no timescale for reopening while the danger remained.

National Grid engineers were also called to the scene to deal with overhead power lines affected by the blaze. A spokesperson confirmed that as a precaution the electricity supply was disconnected and removed, and protective works were carried out to enable scaffolding to be erected safely. “All work has been focused on safety and all of our equipment has now been made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no wider impact on local electricity supplies.

Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the gutted structure as contractors assess what remains. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians have been able to use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station during the closure.

The building has a troubled history well before Easter Monday’s blaze. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof destroyed in Monday’s fire. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained unresolved. The building was most recently in use as the home of the Community Cwtch charity shop, whose signage remains visible on the ground floor of the fire-damaged structure.

The former London and North Western Railway Club has been a landmark on Sterry Road for well over a century. Its derelict state and troubled recent history had already made it a concern in the community before Monday’s fire reduced it to a shell, with the loss of its roof — fitted just four years ago — leaving the Victorian walls exposed to the elements.

Cllr Jenkins said he would continue to liaise with the council’s building control team and would share the findings of the structural report with residents as soon as they were available. In the meantime, drivers are advised to avoid Sterry Road and use alternative routes.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road
The latest update before today’s announcement, including photos from the scene.

Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
How the situation developed in the days following the blaze.

Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished
Our original report on the Easter Monday fire.

GOWERTON: National Grid called in as work to make fire-damaged building safe continues on Sterry Road

New images taken at the scene on Wednesday morning show the full extent of the damage to the Victorian building, which lost its roof in Monday’s fire. Scaffolding has been erected across the front of the structure as contractors assess what remains. National Grid vehicles and a cherry picker were photographed on site as engineers worked on overhead power lines in the immediate area.

South Wales Police remain at the scene. Warning signs and barrier tape are in place across Sterry Road, which continues to be closed to traffic. Local residents say the section of road alongside the chippy side of the street remains inaccessible, though pedestrians can use the opposite pavement near Top Fade barbers and Gowerton station.

The fire broke out at 1.13pm on Easter Monday, with six fire stations responding to the blaze at the derelict three-storey building. Crews from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West attended, deploying a turntable ladder as a water tower. The building’s roof collapsed during the fire.

Fire crews left the scene at 6.20pm on Monday. A reinspection at 11pm extinguished remaining hotspots, with scene management then handed to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection was carried out at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police confirmed on Tuesday that a formal fire investigation was not required. The road was closed while structural engineers assessed the building for collapse risk, with police warning at that stage there was no timescale for reopening.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof destroyed in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

The building was most recently in use as the home of the Community Cwtch charity shop, whose signage remains visible on the ground floor of the fire-damaged structure.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing significant disruption to the village. The Gowerton Fish and Chips shop, located immediately adjacent to the damaged building, is among the businesses affected.

A National Grid spokesperson said: “Following the fire at a property in Gowerton, and at the request of the emergency services, our engineers attended the site to make the electricity supply safe. As a precaution, the supply was disconnected and removed, and protective works were carried out to enable scaffolding to be erected safely.

“All work has been focused on safety and all of our equipment has now been made safe. There is no wider impact on local electricity supplies.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire
Structural engineers assessed the former LNW Club on Tuesday as police warned there was no timescale for reopening Sterry Road.

GOWERTON: Roof collapses as fire guts former LNW Club on Sterry Road — blaze now extinguished
Our original report on the Easter Monday fire, including eyewitness accounts and the history of the building.

GOWERTON: Road remains closed and building assessed for collapse risk after Easter Monday fire

Sterry Road in Gowerton remains closed this morning as structural engineers assess the safety of the building gutted by fire on Easter Monday, with police warning there is no timescale for reopening while the risk of collapse remains.

A major fire broke out at the former London and North Western Railway Club on Sterry Road on Monday afternoon, with six fire stations responding and the road closed in both directions. The building’s roof collapsed as a result of the blaze.

A South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday morning that the road closure was still in place and that the building was being assessed for structural safety. The road was “likely to be closed until the building can be made safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that there was no timescale for reopening at that stage.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has now released full details of Monday’s response, which saw crews from six fire stations attend the blaze. Appliances from Gorseinon, Swansea Central, Morriston, Tumble, Llanelli and Swansea West were all called to the incident at 1.13pm.

Crews faced a fire in a derelict three-storey building measuring approximately 25 metres by 14 metres. A turntable ladder was deployed as a water tower, supported by a bowser, two smooth boards, a 45mm hose, four breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets and two safety officers.

The scale of the incident required a full multi-agency response, with structural engineers, the Local Highways Department, South Wales Police, National Grid, the Gas Board and Local Authorities all attending the scene alongside fire crews.

Fire and Rescue crews left the scene at 6.20pm. A reinspection was carried out at 11pm, with remaining hotspots extinguished using a main jet and hose reel jet before officers handed over scene management to South Wales Police for overnight monitoring. A further reinspection by Fire and Rescue crews was completed at 8am on Tuesday morning.

South Wales Police have confirmed that a formal fire investigation is not required. The road remained closed overnight due to the ongoing risk of building collapse.

The building has a troubled history. It was previously damaged by fire in October 2020, with a new roof fitted in 2021 — the same roof now lost in Monday’s blaze. When the property was listed for sale in 2023 at £230,000, the seller declared that fire damage from the 2020 incident remained.

Sterry Road is one of Gowerton’s main commercial arteries and its continued closure is causing disruption to the village. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes until further notice.

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Veteran firefighter Craig Flannery lands top job as Chief Fire Officer
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Teen arrested after suspicious fire in Carmarthen town centre
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Gowerton community unites to unveil stunning mosaic memorial for 1905 Elba mining disaster
The village came together to honour the memory of those lost in one of the area’s worst industrial tragedies.

GOWERTON: Community unites to unveil stunning mosaic memorial for 1905 Elba mining disaster

A stunning new mosaic memorial to the 1905 Elba Mining Disaster has been unveiled in Gowerton, the result of a major community project that has brought generations together to remember a tragedy that struck the heart of their village over a century ago.

The mosaic was formally unveiled at St John’s Church this week, replacing an existing plaque and creating a lasting tribute to the 11 men and boys who lost their lives in the disaster.

The project was led by Glynn Vivian associate artist Tina Grant, who worked with her community art groups — Artbreak Gowerton, Cockett and Waunarlwydd — as well as the gallery’s Welcome: Mosaic group and pupils from Gowerton Primary School.

The idea for the memorial grew out of the art groups’ exploration of paintings depicting the industrial landscape of South Wales, including works from the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s own collection.

Inspired by a Cedric Morris painting of the view from Gowerton across the Lougher estuary towards Llanelli, the group began researching the area’s rich and sometimes tragic history.

Their research led them to the Elba Mining Disaster of 1905, which occurred in a mine situated halfway between Penclawdd and Gowerton.

The disaster claimed the lives of 11 men, the youngest of whom was just 14 years old.

In a poignant connection to the past, a relative of one of the men killed in the disaster is a member of the Art Break group, and a collective decision was made to create a more permanent and powerful memorial for all the families affected.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities, Elliott King, praised the community’s dedication to the project.

“I want to thank everyone involved in this community project for their dedication,” he said. “These artworks will speak to us and to future generations about a time and place in our city’s history which will never be forgotten.”

Associate artist Tina Grant said the project had been a wonderful collaborative experience.

“Using paintings from the Glynn Vivian collection, we had been looking back at how the area used to be, and the people depicted in these paintings — of cockle pickers, colliers and miners,” she explained.

“We wanted to create something which could represent the community and enlisted the help of Gowerton Primary School and the Glynn Vivian Welcome Mosaic Group to help design and make a new mosaic memorial.

“It has been a wonderful experience to work collaboratively on this project, and we thank the many participants and pupils who have contributed to this special artwork, which will sit proudly in the heart of the community for many more years to come.”

The project is part of Swansea Stories, an Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund project run by the Museums Association, which invites new voices to tell the story of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery collection.

Huge Gowerton solar farm takes major step forward after UK Government funding award

The Parc Caenewydd scheme has been handed a guaranteed price for the electricity it would generate if it goes ahead. The award came as part of a national clean‑energy auction published today, which confirmed a 44‑megawatt solar farm submitted by Infinis (Gowerton) Limited had been successful.

The funding deal makes the project more financially attractive to developers, but it does not give the green light for construction. The plans are still being examined by Welsh Government planning inspectors, and the final decision will be made by ministers in Cardiff, not Swansea Council.

The proposal has already sparked strong local reaction.

Swansea Council’s cabinet member for environment, Cllr Andrew Stevens, who is also a local farmer, has spoken out against the development. But because of its size, the council has no power to approve or reject it. The application is being handled as a Development of National Significance, meaning Welsh Ministers will make the final call.

The solar farm would cover fields between Gowerton, Garden Village, Waunarlwydd and Fforestfach. It has already been through several rounds of consultation and remains one of the most debated planning proposals in Swansea.

UK ministers said today’s auction marked a major moment for clean energy across Wales and the wider UK.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the results showed clean British power was now significantly cheaper than gas.

“These results shows once again that clean British power is the right choice for our country, agreeing a price for new onshore wind and solar that is over 50% cheaper than the cost of building and operating new gas.

“By backing solar and onshore wind at scale, we’re driving bills down for good and protecting families, businesses, and our country from the fossil fuel rollercoaster controlled by petrostates and dictators.

“This is how we take back control of our energy and deliver a new era of energy abundance and independence.”

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said Wales was leading the way on clean energy.

“Wales is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution and today’s results have delivered a record-breaking number of new solar and onshore wind projects for Wales.

“This follows the recent announcement of a contract for Awel y Môr fixed offshore wind farm in North Wales, and Erebus floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Pembrokeshire and shows that renewable energy is delivering good well-paid jobs in every part of Wales, helping to grow our economy and drive down household bills.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the UK had now secured the most homegrown clean power in its history.

“Today’s results, combined with last month’s record-breaking offshore wind results, clearly show that we have secured the most clean, homegrown power in British history, putting the country firmly on track to meet our clean power mission and bring down bills for good.

“These results also show once again that clean, homegrown power is the right choice for Wales, with the first offshore wind project, Awel y Môr in over a decade and a record number of Welsh solar projects – at a price significantly cheaper than the cost of building and operating new gas.”

Chris Stark, head of the Government’s Mission Control team, said the results would strengthen the UK’s energy security.

“Today’s record results are another boost for Britain’s 2030 clean power mission. They mean more homegrown power, greater energy security, at a good price for the consumer. With each new solar and onshore wind project we reduce Britain’s reliance on gas power plants, insulating families from the next spike in global gas prices.”

For residents living near the proposed site, the key point remains unchanged: the project has secured funding, but it has not secured permission. The planning decision is still to come, and today’s announcement is likely to reignite debate over one of Swansea’s most controversial developments.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Huge Gowerton solar farm goes to statutory consultation
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Latest consultation dates announced for massive new Fforestfach solar farm
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Early details on the scale and potential output of the proposed site.

Continuous ribbon of housing could stretch from Penllergaer to Gowerton as new 600‑home scheme unveiled
Wider development pressures in the same corridor highlighted by new housing plans.

Carmarthenshire mum says Guide Dogs support was a ‘lifeline’ after baby son diagnosed with albinism

Chloe Davies, who now lives in Neath Port Talbot, said she was “consumed by worry” after her son Louie was born just after Christmas 2024 with albinism, a rare genetic condition that can cause significant sight loss. Louie, now one year old, attends Guide Dogs Cymru’s My Time To Play sessions in Gowerton, which support young children with visual impairments and offer parents a vital support network.

A difficult start and months of uncertainty

Chloe said she realised something was wrong almost immediately after Louie’s birth, when midwives raised concerns about his unusually white hair and the possibility of albinism. After a stressful delivery and a week in hospital, she returned home feeling overwhelmed.

“I remember feeling completely consumed by worry for his future, and a huge sense of guilt,” she said. “It was like I was failing him, in that I’d somehow given my baby a difficult life before he’d even got started.”

In the months that followed, Chloe spent hours researching the condition, trying to understand how best to support her son. But attending baby groups left her feeling isolated.

“Seeing younger babies engaging more, looking around and reacting to things was incredibly hard. I’d often drive home in tears.”

Louie was later diagnosed with nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements. Chloe said she struggled to access support until she finally reached an Eye Care Liaison Officer — and within 24 hours, Guide Dogs Cymru stepped in.

‘An absolute lifeline’

Guide Dogs arranged a home visit, linked the family with a Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and offered counselling support.

“They were an absolute lifeline to our family,” Chloe said. “It was a huge relief to finally have the right support reaching out to us.”

Louie now attends fortnightly My Time To Play sessions in Gowerton, where children under four with visual impairments develop key skills through sensory play. The sessions also give parents a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges.

“The sessions have been more rewarding than I could ever have imagined,” Chloe said. “They’ve opened up an entire community I didn’t even know existed.”

A milestone moment at the wedding

Chloe married her partner Andrew on 31 January at Pencoed House Estate, with Louie by her side as their “unofficial best man”.

“It will be a very special moment to have Louie with us at our wedding,” she said. “After everything we’ve been through together, it only feels right that he’s up there with us.”

She added that Louie is thriving: standing confidently, exploring the house, and “always with the biggest grin”.

“Louie is happy, curious and thriving, and so am I. That’s something I never thought I’d be able to say during those early months.”

Guide Dogs Cymru is encouraging families of visually impaired children to get in touch to access support through its Children and Young Person services.

More information is available at: guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support

Gowerton housing row: ‘We’re still fighting’ says councillor as Fairwood Terrace appeal enters decisive phase

Cllr Dai Jenkins issued a fresh update to residents, confirming that the appeal process has now stretched weeks beyond its original timetable, with Persimmon Homes expected to submit outstanding information on nutrient neutrality and flood risk.

Jenkins said he and community group Save Gowerton from Gridlock, led by Carl Jones, have been pressing Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) and Natural Resources Wales for clarity — and urging them not to grant yet another extension.

“We’ve asked them not to give another extension,” he said. “We’ve also asked that we don’t get a virtual hearing because we want a face‑to‑face hearing.”

Residents want scrutiny of flood and traffic concerns

The proposed Fairwood Terrace development — part of a wider wave of large‑scale housing schemes across the A484 corridor — has sparked fierce opposition in Gowerton, with residents warning it would worsen congestion, increase flood risk and contribute to an unbroken stretch of new housing from Penllergaer to Gowerton.

Swansea Council previously rejected the plans on traffic grounds, despite planning officers advising that refusal would be difficult to defend at appeal.

Campaigners say any mitigation put forward by the developer must be fully scrutinised.

“If they do give mitigation, we need to see it and check it’s genuine,” Jenkins said.

Push for a public hearing

Jenkins said the community wants a firm date, a venue and a proper in‑person hearing — not a virtual process.

“We want a face‑to‑face hearing,” he said. “We’re hoping we can now go forward, get a date, get a venue.”

‘We’re still here, we’re still fighting’

The councillor thanked residents for their support and said he expects further information from PEDW next week.

“Just to let you know, we’re still here, we’re still fighting,” he said.

The Fairwood Terrace appeal is expected to be one of the most closely watched planning decisions in Swansea this year, with the outcome likely to shape future development across the western growth corridor.

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Plans drawn up for 230‑home development near Gowerton train station
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7,000 homes promised, just 300 built
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Rail chaos hits Swansea as 12‑day shutdown begins — passengers warned to expect long delays

The closure — running from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February, with an additional full shutdown on Sunday 8 February — has been confirmed by Network Rail, which says engineers will be working “around the clock” on the Landore Viaduct and the surrounding track.

Network Rail says the work involves renewing rails, sleepers, switches, crossings and points, as well as refurbishing the viaduct structure that carries trains over the River Tawe. The organisation describes the upgrades as “vital” to keeping services safe and reliable.

Nick Millington, Network Rail’s Wales & Borders Route Director, said the closure was unavoidable:

“We’re carrying out vital track renewal work and refurbishing Landore Viaduct to improve the reliability of the railway for passenger and freight services. To complete this work safely, we need to close the railway between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea. We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause.”

The history of Landore Viaduct

Landore Viaduct first opened in 1850 as part of the South Wales Railway engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The original structure was built largely from timber and carried trains across the River Tawe into Swansea.

The viaduct was rebuilt in the late 19th century as rail traffic increased, replacing the timber superstructure with stronger materials. Further modernisation took place in the 1970s, leaving only a handful of Brunel’s original masonry piers still visible today.

For more than 170 years, the viaduct has remained a key route for passenger and freight services travelling in and out of Swansea, linking the city to the wider South Wales Main Line.

The shutdown means no trains at all between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea for most of the next 12 days. Both Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway say their services will be heavily affected, with replacement buses running throughout the closure.

TfW says passengers should expect longer journeys and changes to connections, with some early‑morning and late‑evening services diverted or curtailed. Services to West Wales will continue to run, but many will start or finish at different stations than usual.

Colin Lea, TfW’s Planning and Performance Director, said:

“These essential works are an important investment in making the railway more reliable for years to come. We know disruption is frustrating and we’re grateful to customers for bearing with us.”

GWR has confirmed that its London Paddington services will now start and finish at Port Talbot instead of Swansea for most of the closure period. Some trains will not run at all on Friday 6 February because rolling stock will be out of position.

Passengers travelling through Gowerton face additional disruption because a low bridge prevents full‑size coaches from serving the station. Smaller buses are being used, meaning passengers heading beyond Swansea will need to change vehicles at the station before continuing their journey.

The disruption will intensify again this coming weekend, with buses replacing trains between Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, and further changes on Sunday 8 February.

Despite the upheaval, Swansea Station itself remains open, with ticketing, toilets and refreshments available as normal.

With the closure now underway, thousands of commuters are bracing for delays, packed buses and longer journeys — and hoping the promised improvements will justify the disruption.

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

New health monitors installed in local GP surgeries

Patients across parts of Swansea can now monitor their blood pressure, weight and body mass index (BMI) in their GP practice waiting rooms, thanks to new health pod machines designed to encourage healthier lifestyles.

Available in local surgeries

The monitors have been installed at Gowerton Medical Centre, Penclawdd Health Centre, Penybryn Surgery, Princess Street Surgery in Gorseinon, Talybont Surgery and Ty’r Felin Surgery in Loughor. Patients can use them without booking an appointment, simply by dropping in during practice opening hours.

How the machines work

The pods guide patients through a short process: entering their date of birth and gender, answering lifestyle questions, and then measuring height, weight and blood pressure. Results are stored directly on the patient’s clinical record, and a printout can also be taken home.

‘Convenient and accessible’

Dr Sowndarya Shivaraj, who leads the project locally, said:

“The introduction of the health pod monitors in our GP surgeries offers patients a convenient and accessible way to check their blood pressure and BMI without needing to wait for a nurse appointment. By flagging risks early, we are better able to offer timely health advice and support.”

Supporting healthier lifestyles

Lorraine Thomas, practice manager at Princess Street Surgery in Gorseinon, said the machines were already proving popular.

“Everything appears on a screen and there’s a questionnaire where patients are asked if they smoke and want help to quit, and it will ask about alcohol intake too. The information then gets stored on their clinical records so GP practices can monitor them.”

She added:

“Most people aren’t aware of their blood pressure and other readings, such as their BMI, so it is helpful for them to be able to come in and check and then they can monitor it.”

Early detection of health risks

Staff will review the results and contact patients if readings are higher than recommended.

Dr Shivaraj said:

“High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, so regular monitoring is vital for early detection and management. If the health pod detects high blood pressure, our teams will be alerted and the patient will be offered a follow‑up appointment for further assessment.”

The initiative is part of wider work to encourage people to take an active role in monitoring and maintaining their health, with additional support available for smoking cessation and reducing alcohol use.

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#bloodPressureMonitor #BMICheck #GorseinonGP #Gowerton #GowertonMedicalCentre #Loughor #Penclawdd #PenclawddHealthCentre #PenybrynSurgery #PrincessStreetSurgery #selfServiceHealthPod #Swansea #SwanseaBayNHS #TalybontSurgery #TyRFelinSurgery

Managed to walk under 6 miles completing three Slow Ways today. Feels like a bit of a record - are there other locations this close together? #Gorseinon #Gowerton #Loughor #SlowWays

Managed to walk under 6 miles completing three Slow Ways today. Feels like a bit of a record - are there other locations this close together? #Gorseinon #Gowerton #Loughor #SlowWays

Cllr Andrew Stevens, #SwanseaCouncil’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure has spoken out against plans to build a massive #solarfarm on 85 acres of farmland between #Gorseinon, #Fforestfach, #Gowerton and #Waunarlwydd.

Cllr Stevens, a local farmer who also represents the Gorseinon and Penyrheol ward, says to take such a large amount of productive local farmland out of use does not sit well with him at all – even more so how the proposals have come about.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2022/12/08/councils-cabinet-member-for-environment-speaks-out-against-massive-solar-farm-plans/

Cllr Andrew Stevens, #SwanseaCouncil’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure has spoken out against plans to build a massive #solarfarm on 85 acres of farmland between #Gorseinon, #Fforestfach, #Gowerton and #Waunarlwydd.

Cllr Stevens, a local farmer who also represents the Gorseinon and Penyrheol ward, says to take such a large amount of productive local farmland out of use does not sit well with him at all – even more so how the proposals have come about.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2022/12/08/councils-cabinet-member-for-environment-speaks-out-against-massive-solar-farm-plans/

Cllr Andrew Stevens, #SwanseaCouncil’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure has spoken out against plans to build a massive #solarfarm on 85 acres of farmland between #Gorseinon, #Fforestfach, #Gowerton and #Waunarlwydd.

Cllr Stevens, a local farmer who also represents the Gorseinon and Penyrheol ward, says to take such a large amount of productive local farmland out of use does not sit well with him at all – even more so how the proposals have come about.

https://swanseabaynews.com/2022/12/08/councils-cabinet-member-for-environment-speaks-out-against-massive-solar-farm-plans/