#uplands — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #uplands, aggregated by home.social.
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SWANSEA: Man found hiding in cupboard jailed after police uncover 539-plant cannabis farm in Uplands
A man has been jailed after he was found hiding in a cupboard when police raided a cannabis farm in the Uplands area of Swansea.
Antonjo Kodheli, 42, of no fixed abode, was discovered inside the property on Bryn Y Môr Crescent when officers conducted a search of the address.
A total of 539 plants were found growing across eight rooms in the property.
Kodheli pleaded guilty to being concerned in the production of a controlled drug of Class B and was sentenced to eight months in prison.
A video released by South Wales Police shows the moment officers discovered Kodheli concealed in the cupboard during the raid.
https://youtu.be/AYQK1iz1Hqk?si=3XxY04f33H3jqfCF
Sergeant Luke Tucker said it was “incredibly disappointing” to continue finding properties in Swansea being used for illegal drug cultivation.
“Antonjo Kodheli is the latest in a long line of people who have found that entering the illegal drug trade is not all it cracked up to be,” he said. “While some may argue that there are more dangerous drugs, the money generated by cannabis farms is very commonly then funnelled towards even more serious criminal activity, and that is why we will always take action.”
#Cannabis #CannabisFarm #SouthWalesPolice #Uplands -
Wild Moors
"Wild Moors is working to accelerate the transition to a nature-rich, climate resilient and sustainable future by creating an upland environment which is respected, restored and protected."
https://www.wildmoors.org.uk/#SolarPunkSunday #ReWilding #MoorLands #WildMoors #Moors #UpLands #Nature #BioDiversity #Carbon #Habitat #WildLife #Environment #Ecology #UK
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Uplands councillors join Liberal Democrats as former party leader hits back
Councillors Sandra Joy and Allan Jeffery, who were elected as Uplands Party candidates in 2022 before becoming Independents last year, have now joined the Liberal Democrats. The party announced the move as a boost ahead of the Senedd elections in May, saying it strengthens their position in Swansea.
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS welcomed the pair, stating: “Sandra and Allan are exactly the kind of councillors communities want representing them. Rooted in their area, working hard for residents and not afraid to speak up when something was not right.”
She added that with services stretched and communities feeling taken for granted, “Only the Liberal Democrats can beat Labour, stop Reform and deliver for Swansea.”
Councillor Sandra Joy said joining the Liberal Democrats felt like the right step, stating that she and Allan Jeffery were “still the same people who would speak their minds and fight for Uplands every day, but now as part of a growing team ready to take the city in a better direction.”
However, the move has been strongly criticised by Uplands Party leader, Cllr Peter May, who provided additional context on the defections.
In a statement to Swansea Bay News, Cllr May pointed out this was the councillors’ second defection. He also revealed that Cllr Sandra Joy had moved out of the Uplands Ward to Sketty in June 2025, making her ineligible to continue as an Uplands Party councillor.
“She is seeking to run in Sketty ward in the council elections in 2027 which is presently held by the Liberal Democrats,” Cllr May said.
He also highlighted Cllr Allan Jeffery’s past electoral performance. “Allan Jeffery ran unsuccessfully in the Uplands ward as a Liberal Democrat in 2017. He polled 366 votes and finished 12th out of 18 candidates,” Cllr May stated.
“In 2022 he ran as an Uplands Party candidate and was successfully elected securing 1641 votes and finished 4th out of the 4 elected councillors. If he is running as a returning Liberal Democrat in 2027, I look forward to the contest.”
The Liberal Democrats now hold 13 of the 75 seats on Swansea Council.
#CllrAllanJeffery #CllrPeterMay #CllrSandraJoy #JaneDoddsMS #PeterMay #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands #UplandsParty #WelshLiberalDemocrats -
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.
#Bishopston #Clase #CllrAndrewStevens #Cwmrhydyceirw #Llansamlet #Morriston #potholes #resurfacing #roadResurfacing #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands -
Swansea’s Secret Traitor revealed as real‑life lifesaver who helped woman escape abuse and sex work
Fiona, 62, who was unmasked as the series’ first ever Secret Traitor, worked for Swansea Council as a Local Area Coordinator covering the Brynmill and Uplands area. Her role involved supporting people facing isolation, crisis or vulnerability — and one case in particular has resurfaced following her TV fame.
A chance meeting that changed a life
According to a Swansea Council case study published in 2018, Fiona first met a young woman known as Alice on a bench overlooking the lake at Brynmill Park. The pair had been introduced by a mutual acquaintance who believed Fiona could help.
Alice, then 25, was bright and articulate but struggling with isolation, low confidence and a violent relationship. During one of their regular “talk and walk” meetings in local parks and along the promenade, she disclosed that she had become trapped in sex work.
The council says Fiona spent months getting to know her, helping her identify her strengths and goals, and supporting her to imagine “what a good life looked like”.
A Swansea Council case study said:
“Fiona came into my life when I thought nobody could help me. I felt so ashamed and just didn’t want to go on. I’ll always be grateful for the time she spent with me and thank her from the bottom of my heart.”
Fiona introduced Alice to a Domestic Abuse Support worker, took her to the One Stop Shop in the city centre, and encouraged her to explore voluntary work and education.
By the end of 2018, Alice had left her abusive partner, stopped sex work and enrolled in college. The council says the pair remained in contact.
Fiona’s philosophy: ‘Walk alongside people’
The council’s profile of Fiona paints a picture of a community worker who believed in simple, human connection — often starting with a coffee and a walk.
A Swansea Council case study quoted Fiona saying:
“Sometimes going for a coffee with someone you don’t know — having the warmth and genuine interest from another person — can help you to see options.”
She described her role as “walking alongside people” as they rebuilt confidence, reconnected with their community and worked towards the life they wanted.
Councillor Mark Child, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at the time, called Alice’s story “one of the most moving” examples of the Local Area Coordinator scheme.
Fiona Hughes at the centre of the round‑table discussion as tensions rise during her final episode of The Traitors.
(Image: (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert)From council worker to TV favourite
Fiona’s off‑screen work stands in stark contrast to her on‑screen persona as the red‑cloaked Secret Traitor — a twist that made her one of the most memorable players of the series.
Her dramatic confrontation with fellow Traitor Rachel Duffy and subsequent banishment drew huge attention, with more than seven million viewers watching the episode.
But Fiona has insisted the show was “just a bit of fun” compared with the real‑life challenges she faced supporting vulnerable people across Swansea.
She is now retiring from the council after working full‑time since she was 16, but says she will continue volunteering in the community, including with Swansea’s growing Men’s Sheds network.
Fiona Hughes seated in an armchair inside the Traitors castle, with bookcases and wood‑panelled walls behind her.
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry)A brush with police over a ‘burner phone’
Fiona also revealed on the BBC’s Uncloaked aftershow that she was once approached by police after innocently asking a shop for a “burner phone” — having been advised to set up a separate mobile for social media after filming.
The Independent reported that officers later approached her to check the request, leaving the studio audience in stitches when she recounted the mix‑up.
‘You can change somebody’s life by reaching out’
Reflecting on Alice’s story, Fiona told national media she was proud of the young woman’s progress but emphasised that the credit belonged to her.
Fiona Hughes said:
“The lady is very settled now. She has children and is an amazing woman. It’s not my story to tell, but it’s important to remember so many people feel very vulnerable and isolated, but you can change somebody’s life by reaching out.”
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Swansea’s Secret Traitor Fiona banished after dramatic round table showdown
Fiona’s explosive confrontation with fellow Traitor Rachel made her one of the series’ most talked‑about players.Traitors icon Paul Gorton says he’d pick Swansea’s Fiona Hughes as Secret Traitor
Former finalist Paul Gorton singled out Fiona as the perfect Secret Traitor long before her dramatic reveal.Swansea’s Fiona Hughes climbs early predictions as The Traitors series 4 gets underway
#AliceCaseStudy #Brynmill #BrynmillPark #domesticAbuse #featured #FionaHughes #LocalAreaCoordinator #MenSSheds #SecretTraitor #sexWork #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TheTraitors #Uplands
Fiona quickly emerged as a fan favourite as early predictions tipped her for a deep run in the game. -
Brynmill sinkhole finally filled – again – as road reopens this afternoon
Swansea Council confirmed at 3.20pm today (Friday 19 December) that the road is back open following emergency works.
The authority said crews had been “putting the finishing touches” to the repair earlier in the day, after investigations revealed the latest collapse was linked to the earlier fault that has caused repeated disruption in the area.
Final touches underway as crews compact fresh asphalt during Brynmill sinkhole repairs on Brynymor Road.
(Image: Swansea Council)Fresh asphalt marks the latest repair to the Brynmill sinkhole, with cones and caution tape still in place.
(Image: Swansea Council)A spokesperson said the council’s Highways Team will now consider carrying out a geotechnical survey to determine whether further work is needed along the route to prevent more sinkholes from forming.
The reopening comes after a string of closures, diversions and emergency digs that have turned the Brynmill sinkhole into one of Swansea’s most persistent infrastructure sagas.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Brynmill sinkhole saga rumbles on as crews dig deep after second collapse
Engineers were forced back on site after a fresh collapse reopened the long‑running sinkhole drama.Brynymor Road shuts again just hours after councillors’ photo‑op
A newly repaired section of road collapsed the same day councillors posed for reopening photos.Brynymor Road reopens after sinkhole drama
The busy Brynmill route reopened following emergency works — but questions remained over the cause.Sinkhole mystery solved as collapse blamed on old manhole
Investigations pointed to a hidden manhole chamber as the culprit behind the sudden road failure.Council investigates possible mine link to Brynmor Crescent sinkhole
Historic mine workings were examined as a potential factor in the recurring collapses.Brynymor Road sinkhole ‘larger than expected’, says councillor
Councillors warned the damage beneath the surface was more extensive than first thought.Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Bryn‑y‑Mor Road
#Brynmill #BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #geotechnicalSurvey #roadClosure #Sinkhole #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands
The first collapse that triggered months of disruption for residents and drivers. -
Brynmill sinkhole saga rumbles on — crews dig deep after second collapse
This morning we revealed how the street had collapsed again, forcing a fresh closure between Westbury Street and Eaton Crescent. Heavy machinery and barriers are now back in place as engineers work to stabilise the site.
From November shock to December drama
The saga began on 22 November, when a sudden collapse forced the closure of Brynymor Road. What at first looked like a small hole quickly grew into a major headache, with councillors warning the damage was larger than expected.
Investigations followed, with engineers probing whether old mine workings beneath the Crescent were to blame. For weeks, the mystery deepened as crews dug into the road surface, trying to uncover the cause.
By mid‑December, the answer finally came: the collapse was traced back to an old manhole chamber hidden beneath the tarmac. With the mystery solved, hopes rose that the road could reopen before Christmas.
On 17 December, councillors gathered for a photo call to mark the reopening, praising the swift repair and celebrating the return of traffic to one of Brynmill’s busiest streets.
Collapse number two
But the celebrations didn’t last long. Within hours, a second sinkhole appeared nearby, plunging the street back into disruption and forcing crews to return with diggers and trucks.
A Swansea Council spokesperson said:
“Our highways maintenance teams are at the site of a second sinkhole on Brynymor Road. We are doing all we can to repair as quickly as possible and reopen the road.”
They added:
“The road is closed between Westbury Street and Eaton Crescent. Brynymor Road between King Edward Road and St Helens Road remains open to motorists who are visiting local businesses in the area. Apologies for any inconvenience this is causing.”
Images from the scene
Photos taken Thursday show crews in high‑vis jackets operating diggers and trucks, excavating the collapsed section and cordoning off the street with barriers. The fresh hole exposes layers of asphalt and soil, as engineers work to stabilise the site.
Digging deep: excavator and highways team tackle the collapsed section of Brynymor Road.
(Image: Swansea Council)Fresh collapse: excavator lifts debris from the newly formed Brynymor Road sinkhole.
(Image: Swansea Council)Excavation in progress: crews dig into the collapsed section of Brynymor Road.
(Image: Swansea Council)Emergency response: highways team works to stabilise Brynymor Road after second sinkhole
(Image: Swansea Council) #Brynmill #BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #EatonCrescent #KingEdwardRoad #Sinkhole #StHelensRoad #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands #WestburyStreet -
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.
Cllr Peter May gives the thumbs up on Brynymor Road after sinkhole repairs reopened the busy Uplands route.Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens poses beside the freshly repaired section of Brynymor Road, following emergency works to fill a sinkhole that forced the street’s closure earlier this month.
(Image: Swansea Council)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
#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrAndrewStevens #CllrPeterMay #roadClosure #Sinkhole #SwanseaCouncil #Uplands
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
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Sinkhole mystery solved: Brynymor Crescent collapse blamed on old manhole – road could reopen before Christmas
Contractors have now completed investigations and confirmed the cause of the collapse was an ageing underground structure that had gone unnoticed beneath the tarmac. Backfilling began yesterday, and resurfacing is due to start next week.
If the weather holds, the road could reopen before Christmas – though heavy rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday may cause delays.
The update marks a turning point in a saga that began in late November, when a sudden collapse forced the closure of Brynymor Crescent and sparked speculation about historic mine shafts beneath the area.
Earlier reports suggested the sinkhole was “larger than expected” and potentially linked to old workings — but the latest findings rule that out.
Cllr Peter May said:
“The team have established that the cause of collapse was an old manhole beneath the road surface. This has now been dealt with and contractors began backfilling yesterday, with resurfacing to begin next week.”
Pending no unforeseen issues, the road should be open by the end of next week — or earlier if possible.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Sinkhole forces road closure in Bryn-y-Mor Road
A sudden collapse shuts down a busy Swansea street, sparking urgent investigations.Brynymor sinkhole ‘larger than expected’
Councillor warns the damage may be more extensive than first thought as investigations continue.Council investigates possible mine link
Officials explore whether historic mine workings could be behind the Brynymor Crescent collapse.#BrynymorCrescent #BrynymorRoad #CllrPeterMay #manhole #roadClosure #Sinkhole #Uplands
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Council investigates possible mine link to Brynymor Crescent sinkhole
Correspondence shared by Uplands councillor Peter May reveals that mining records show a historic mine feature located approximately 100–150 metres north of the collapse site. The council is now contacting the Coal Authority for detailed plans and considering a full geotechnical survey to check for other voids in the area.
Void under road larger than first thought
The latest update follows a site meeting between council officers and Dŵr Cymru, where a void of at least 8 metres in length or depth was discovered beneath the road surface.
According to the council’s internal note, the void is not linked to a previous water leak but may have caused the leak that was repaired last week. The ground remains unstable, and Heras fencing has been installed to prevent access.
A camera survey is scheduled for tomorrow morning to assess the full extent of the damage.
Road closure and safety measures
Brynymor Crescent remains closed, and a full diversion route is being arranged. The void is located around 10 metres from the nearest properties, and while there is currently no immediate risk to residents, the council says it will know more once survey results are available.
Cllr May has been sharing updates via social media and said he would continue to keep residents informed as investigations progress.
Related stories from Swansea Bay News
Sinkhole forces road closure in Swansea’s Bryn‑y‑Mor Road
Initial report on the sudden collapse and emergency closure of the busy Uplands street.Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected says councillor
Follow‑up coverage as Cllr Peter May warned the void was more extensive than first thought.#brynymorCrescent #brynymorRoad #coalAuthority #mineWorks #peterMay #roadClosure #sinkhole #swanseaCouncil #swanseaSinkhole #uplands
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Brynymor Road sinkhole larger than expected, says councillor
The sinkhole that forced the closure of Brynymor Road in Swansea last week is “significantly larger than first anticipated,” according to Uplands councillor Peter May, who shared an update on social media after meeting with Welsh Water engineers.
Cllr May said the company had accepted liability for the collapse, which is believed to have been caused by a major leak just above the affected area. That leak was repaired last week, but engineers are still working to assess the full extent of the damage beneath the surface.
Excavation underway at the Brynymor Road sinkhole site. Engineers are working to assess and repair the damage.“The hole is significantly larger than first anticipated,” he wrote, “and when I left site they were still trying to find the extent of the void under the road.” Based on surface cracking, the damage could stretch around three metres wide, five to six metres long, and just over one metre deep.
Welsh Water plans to excavate the area fully, backfill it with new material, and reinstate the carriageway. While repairs were initially hoped to be completed by Thursday evening, Cllr May said that timeline was “somewhat optimistic” and that a Friday reopening was more likely.
“There was a significant leak just above the sinkhole which was repaired last week,” he added. “Welsh Water agree that this has in all probability caused the collapse.”
Council investigation continues
Swansea Council last issued an update on 24 November, confirming that highways teams had begun investigating the cause of the sinkhole, which appeared at the junction of Brynymor Road and Westbury Street.
The council said the road would be reinstated once the investigation was complete and the area made safe. In the meantime, Brynymor Road remains closed to traffic between Westbury Street and Eaton Crescent. Westbury Street itself is open, but there is no access onto Brynymor Road from that junction. The section of Brynymor Road between St Helen’s Road and King Edward Road remains open to traffic.
#brynymorCrescent #brynymorRoad #eatonCrescent #kingEdwardRoad #roadClosure #sinkhole #stHelensRoad #swansea #swanseaCouncil #uplands #welshWater #westburyStreet
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Uplands Market highlighted in new ‘pedestrian pound’ report
The Pedestrian Pound is published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, and shows that investing in better streets and places for walking and wheeling delivers quantifiable commercial returns.
Data shows that pedestrians spend more money than people arriving by car, and pedestrianised town centres have higher footfall.
Living Streets say that this is particularly relevant for Swansea, where the city centre has experienced a decline in footfall in recent years, despite recovering well from the pandemic. 23 per cent of high street services are vacant, and fewer visitors are coming from outside the city.
One of the case studies in the report is Uplands Market, a social enterprise founded by Urban Foundry. The market has transformed Gwydr Square, a side road just off the main street in Uplands, into a traffic-free space for people by temporarily removing a handful of parking spaces for a few hours each month. The market has improved the local economy and encouraged more walking in the neighbourhood.
The first Uplands Market was held in July 2013. Apart from the pandemic, the market has been held on every last Saturday of the month ever since, providing retail space for independent producers of high-quality, locally-made food, drink and craft items.
AdvertisementFootfall at Uplands Market is weather dependent but there can be over 3,000 people on warm sunny days – far more than in the area on a usual Saturday morning. It has been ranked as one of the top ten street markets in the UK by The Daily Telegraph and has twice been runner-up in The Observer Food Monthly awards.
The market intentionally doesn’t offer refreshments, and some local businesses offer special market day deals, helping to support local cafes and shops by bringing increased trade on market day.
In 2018, a survey with about 300 visitors at Uplands Market and its sister market in the marina found that 67 per cent of people had specifically been attracted by the markets and a fifth of people also spent money in surrounding local businesses, typically spending in the region of £10 to £25. Additionally, 77 per cent thought the market had given them a more positive view of the Uplands area. Anecdotally, many people originally attracted by the market now also shop in Uplands on non-market days.
The majority of people in Wales (57%) walk for travel purposes more than once a week2, but charity Living Streets says more needs to be done to integrate walking with public transport and make places more attractive for pedestrians.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Many high streets in Wales are struggling, so it’s heartening to see how Uplands Market in Swansea has been so successful for the local economy – and a real asset for those who live in the area.
Advertisement“The Pedestrian Pound proves that making high streets and town centres into spaces where people can walk and wheel increases time – and money – spent in those businesses. Uplands Market is a great example of how creating accessible and attractive public spaces can help to bring communities together.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry, said: “Uplands Market has been a great addition to Uplands as a community. It’s taken what would have been a car-dominated space and made it more pedestrian-friendly. Walking and wheeling have been brilliant for the local community and people visiting the market often go on to shop at local businesses in the area.”
Rana Verma owns Babita’s Spice, which trades at Uplands Market, with his wife. He said: “The market is a very social experience for many people, and they can come and shop at a leisurely pace. We find that people feel a lot more comfortable bringing their children, their pets, their toddlers in prams, and the fact that there’s no traffic just make that logistically a lot more straightforward.”
#Business #LivingStreets #market #retail #Swansea #Uplands #UplandsMarket
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Uplands Market highlighted in new ‘pedestrian pound’ report
The Pedestrian Pound is published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, and shows that investing in better streets and places for walking and wheeling delivers quantifiable commercial returns.
Data shows that pedestrians spend more money than people arriving by car, and pedestrianised town centres have higher footfall.
Living Streets say that this is particularly relevant for Swansea, where the city centre has experienced a decline in footfall in recent years, despite recovering well from the pandemic. 23 per cent of high street services are vacant, and fewer visitors are coming from outside the city.
One of the case studies in the report is Uplands Market, a social enterprise founded by Urban Foundry. The market has transformed Gwydr Square, a side road just off the main street in Uplands, into a traffic-free space for people by temporarily removing a handful of parking spaces for a few hours each month. The market has improved the local economy and encouraged more walking in the neighbourhood.
The first Uplands Market was held in July 2013. Apart from the pandemic, the market has been held on every last Saturday of the month ever since, providing retail space for independent producers of high-quality, locally-made food, drink and craft items.
AdvertisementFootfall at Uplands Market is weather dependent but there can be over 3,000 people on warm sunny days – far more than in the area on a usual Saturday morning. It has been ranked as one of the top ten street markets in the UK by The Daily Telegraph and has twice been runner-up in The Observer Food Monthly awards.
The market intentionally doesn’t offer refreshments, and some local businesses offer special market day deals, helping to support local cafes and shops by bringing increased trade on market day.
In 2018, a survey with about 300 visitors at Uplands Market and its sister market in the marina found that 67 per cent of people had specifically been attracted by the markets and a fifth of people also spent money in surrounding local businesses, typically spending in the region of £10 to £25. Additionally, 77 per cent thought the market had given them a more positive view of the Uplands area. Anecdotally, many people originally attracted by the market now also shop in Uplands on non-market days.
The majority of people in Wales (57%) walk for travel purposes more than once a week2, but charity Living Streets says more needs to be done to integrate walking with public transport and make places more attractive for pedestrians.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Many high streets in Wales are struggling, so it’s heartening to see how Uplands Market in Swansea has been so successful for the local economy – and a real asset for those who live in the area.
Advertisement“The Pedestrian Pound proves that making high streets and town centres into spaces where people can walk and wheel increases time – and money – spent in those businesses. Uplands Market is a great example of how creating accessible and attractive public spaces can help to bring communities together.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry, said: “Uplands Market has been a great addition to Uplands as a community. It’s taken what would have been a car-dominated space and made it more pedestrian-friendly. Walking and wheeling have been brilliant for the local community and people visiting the market often go on to shop at local businesses in the area.”
Rana Verma owns Babita’s Spice, which trades at Uplands Market, with his wife. He said: “The market is a very social experience for many people, and they can come and shop at a leisurely pace. We find that people feel a lot more comfortable bringing their children, their pets, their toddlers in prams, and the fact that there’s no traffic just make that logistically a lot more straightforward.”
#Business #LivingStreets #market #retail #Swansea #Uplands #UplandsMarket
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Uplands Market highlighted in new ‘pedestrian pound’ report
The Pedestrian Pound is published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, and shows that investing in better streets and places for walking and wheeling delivers quantifiable commercial returns.
Data shows that pedestrians spend more money than people arriving by car, and pedestrianised town centres have higher footfall.
Living Streets say that this is particularly relevant for Swansea, where the city centre has experienced a decline in footfall in recent years, despite recovering well from the pandemic. 23 per cent of high street services are vacant, and fewer visitors are coming from outside the city.
One of the case studies in the report is Uplands Market, a social enterprise founded by Urban Foundry. The market has transformed Gwydr Square, a side road just off the main street in Uplands, into a traffic-free space for people by temporarily removing a handful of parking spaces for a few hours each month. The market has improved the local economy and encouraged more walking in the neighbourhood.
The first Uplands Market was held in July 2013. Apart from the pandemic, the market has been held on every last Saturday of the month ever since, providing retail space for independent producers of high-quality, locally-made food, drink and craft items.
AdvertisementFootfall at Uplands Market is weather dependent but there can be over 3,000 people on warm sunny days – far more than in the area on a usual Saturday morning. It has been ranked as one of the top ten street markets in the UK by The Daily Telegraph and has twice been runner-up in The Observer Food Monthly awards.
The market intentionally doesn’t offer refreshments, and some local businesses offer special market day deals, helping to support local cafes and shops by bringing increased trade on market day.
In 2018, a survey with about 300 visitors at Uplands Market and its sister market in the marina found that 67 per cent of people had specifically been attracted by the markets and a fifth of people also spent money in surrounding local businesses, typically spending in the region of £10 to £25. Additionally, 77 per cent thought the market had given them a more positive view of the Uplands area. Anecdotally, many people originally attracted by the market now also shop in Uplands on non-market days.
The majority of people in Wales (57%) walk for travel purposes more than once a week2, but charity Living Streets says more needs to be done to integrate walking with public transport and make places more attractive for pedestrians.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Many high streets in Wales are struggling, so it’s heartening to see how Uplands Market in Swansea has been so successful for the local economy – and a real asset for those who live in the area.
Advertisement“The Pedestrian Pound proves that making high streets and town centres into spaces where people can walk and wheel increases time – and money – spent in those businesses. Uplands Market is a great example of how creating accessible and attractive public spaces can help to bring communities together.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry, said: “Uplands Market has been a great addition to Uplands as a community. It’s taken what would have been a car-dominated space and made it more pedestrian-friendly. Walking and wheeling have been brilliant for the local community and people visiting the market often go on to shop at local businesses in the area.”
Rana Verma owns Babita’s Spice, which trades at Uplands Market, with his wife. He said: “The market is a very social experience for many people, and they can come and shop at a leisurely pace. We find that people feel a lot more comfortable bringing their children, their pets, their toddlers in prams, and the fact that there’s no traffic just make that logistically a lot more straightforward.”
#Business #LivingStreets #market #retail #Swansea #Uplands #UplandsMarket
-
Uplands Market highlighted in new ‘pedestrian pound’ report
The Pedestrian Pound is published by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, and shows that investing in better streets and places for walking and wheeling delivers quantifiable commercial returns.
Data shows that pedestrians spend more money than people arriving by car, and pedestrianised town centres have higher footfall.
Living Streets say that this is particularly relevant for Swansea, where the city centre has experienced a decline in footfall in recent years, despite recovering well from the pandemic. 23 per cent of high street services are vacant, and fewer visitors are coming from outside the city.
One of the case studies in the report is Uplands Market, a social enterprise founded by Urban Foundry. The market has transformed Gwydr Square, a side road just off the main street in Uplands, into a traffic-free space for people by temporarily removing a handful of parking spaces for a few hours each month. The market has improved the local economy and encouraged more walking in the neighbourhood.
The first Uplands Market was held in July 2013. Apart from the pandemic, the market has been held on every last Saturday of the month ever since, providing retail space for independent producers of high-quality, locally-made food, drink and craft items.
AdvertisementFootfall at Uplands Market is weather dependent but there can be over 3,000 people on warm sunny days – far more than in the area on a usual Saturday morning. It has been ranked as one of the top ten street markets in the UK by The Daily Telegraph and has twice been runner-up in The Observer Food Monthly awards.
The market intentionally doesn’t offer refreshments, and some local businesses offer special market day deals, helping to support local cafes and shops by bringing increased trade on market day.
In 2018, a survey with about 300 visitors at Uplands Market and its sister market in the marina found that 67 per cent of people had specifically been attracted by the markets and a fifth of people also spent money in surrounding local businesses, typically spending in the region of £10 to £25. Additionally, 77 per cent thought the market had given them a more positive view of the Uplands area. Anecdotally, many people originally attracted by the market now also shop in Uplands on non-market days.
The majority of people in Wales (57%) walk for travel purposes more than once a week2, but charity Living Streets says more needs to be done to integrate walking with public transport and make places more attractive for pedestrians.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Many high streets in Wales are struggling, so it’s heartening to see how Uplands Market in Swansea has been so successful for the local economy – and a real asset for those who live in the area.
Advertisement“The Pedestrian Pound proves that making high streets and town centres into spaces where people can walk and wheel increases time – and money – spent in those businesses. Uplands Market is a great example of how creating accessible and attractive public spaces can help to bring communities together.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry, said: “Uplands Market has been a great addition to Uplands as a community. It’s taken what would have been a car-dominated space and made it more pedestrian-friendly. Walking and wheeling have been brilliant for the local community and people visiting the market often go on to shop at local businesses in the area.”
Rana Verma owns Babita’s Spice, which trades at Uplands Market, with his wife. He said: “The market is a very social experience for many people, and they can come and shop at a leisurely pace. We find that people feel a lot more comfortable bringing their children, their pets, their toddlers in prams, and the fact that there’s no traffic just make that logistically a lot more straightforward.”
#Business #LivingStreets #market #retail #Swansea #Uplands #UplandsMarket
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UKH Articles - Missing #Wildlife - Lost Species That #ReWilding Could Return to Britain's Hills
‘The #UK has some of the lowest #biodiversity on earth, and most of our #uplands are ecologically barren. But it doesn't have to be this way. So what animals are missing, and how might the #landscape familiar to climbers and walkers change if they returned?’ Sarah Ryan
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title:hills around derwentwater
description:shot of hills new derwent water from catbells walk#England #Lakedistrict #Nature #UpLands #Hill #Grass #Plant #Clouds #Cloud #Sky #Outdoors #Pastoral #Field #Photography #Photo #Leica #Landscape #Calm #Serene #Tranquility #Derwent #Derwentwater #Keswick #Catbells #Bnw #Bw #Blackandwhite #Blancoynegro #Monochrome
L1010376 1.jpg -
OnlineFirst - "‘They’re part of what we are’: Interspecies belonging, animal life and farming practice on the Isle of Skye" by Tom Fry:
@CamUniGeography @UEcologies #farming #uplands #subjectivity #rewilding #conservation #morethanhuman #politicalecology
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/25148486231151809
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#uplands / #marginal correlation here? h/t @undertheraedar
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RT @undertheraedar
I also found the '% of full time workers working 49 hours or more' map interesting. I'd take a punt and say the answer is 'hard working farmers' but I'm not an expert on that - definitely not an urban pattern though(the 25% here relates to those in full time work, obvs)
https://twitter.com/undertheraedar/status/1601563942526283777 -
My stall in Uplands Market, Swansea all set up today and there until 1pm today (Saturday) #photography #gower #wales #cymru #swansea #uplands #uplandalsmarket #outdoorselling #buylocal #localmarket #smalltrader
