New £5m road opens to ease traffic and improve air quality
AMAJOR transport link aimed at cutting congestion, improving air quality and opening up access to development sites along the River Tawe in Swansea has opened.
The £5m pound Morfa Distributor Road stretches for 1.7km from the Liberty Stadium, south along the western side of the river and into the city centre.
Transport chiefs say the new route will help relieve congestion on nearby Neath Road in Hafod.
Councillor Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment services, said there were many benefits to the new route, which has been developed by Swansea council with funding from the Welsh Government and completed ahead of schedule.
He explained: “For many years, Neath Road has been the main route through Hafod and large volumes of traffic have impacted on pollution levels. We expect the new road to ease some of this congestion and help improve the associated air quality problems in the area as well as making the journey in and out of the city centre easier. The scheme also provides enhanced cycling and walking facilities along the corridor.
“This will be a key driver for the ongoing economic regeneration along the Tawe corridor.”
Since the road construction began new residential development has already been completed as well as the new Hitachi Rail depot. Other sites along the route are also being considered for future development.
Welsh Government Economy Secretary Ken Skates said: “I am pleased that we have been able to allocate over £5m over the last five years towards this important infrastructure and to preserve some of the Hafod Copper Works historical features. This investment, together with match funding from the council and private sector, will improve access to jobs and services and open the corridor to further development opportunities.
“As well as providing a new arterial road, foot and cycle link into and out of Swansea City Centre, it will improve journey time reliability for bus services, and through by-passing the community of Hafod, help improve air quality there.”
Gaynor Omar runs the Hafod Launderette on Neath Road.
She said: “I only opened at 9am and within an hour and a half I have noticed there is still traffic but not as much as normal. It could all change once the school holidays end mind.”
Although Ms Omar isn’t too worried about a reduction in footfall on the road: “If people want a launderette or flowers, they’ll still come here but if they want to pick up cigarettes or a newspaper they could go elsewhere in the new road so I worry about those shops.”
Long-time Neath Road resident Carolyn Jones said: “I think it’s marvellous. I think it will be a definite improvement, although I haven’t noticed much difference yet. I used to be a chemical technician at ICI so I have always taken an interest in Hafod.”
Alun Thomas, of Alun Thomas Electrical in Morriston, often works in the area.
He said: “I would have thought that even 25-30% less traffic will make it a difference. I wish the new road was a dual carriageway, but money speaks. It’s bound to make some difference. Traffic on this road is murder during rush hour.”
Part of the funding has been used to preserve some of the historical features along the route associated with the Hafod-Morfa copperworks.
This includes the repair to the former canal wall and the complete restoration of a nearby lime kiln. Work has also been carried out to expose a disused masonry canal bridge which it is hoped will form part of the new access way into the redeveloped copperworks site.
Swansea council has already been awarded a first-round pass by the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant of £3.75m that could see Penderyn Distillery expand their business into Swansea.