Work set to start on £12m makeover for Kingsway
WORK is finally to begin next month on the long-awaited makeover of The Kingsway, Swansea.
Around £12m is going on the transformation, which will include the creation of the city’s first new park in more than 50 years. It means the road will turn from being mostly car-dominated into a much more pedestrian-friendly space.
It comes after years of the area being in the doldrums with a string of businesses pulling out. The muchcriticsed metro track went last autumn. With it, dozens of ugly steel barriers which seperated different sides of the roadway.
Council bosses say work to bring it into the 21st century will begin on April 9. It is hoped to transform it into a city park incorporating new public areas, landscaped park land, cycle tracks and two-way single lane vehicle route along with the creation of wider pedestrian walkways.
When completed, the £12m Kingsway Infrastructure Project regeneration scheme will pave the way for the creation of the new ‘digital district’ in the city, which is being delivered as part of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal. It is hoped that in turn could attract thousands of jobs into the area.
Swansea council has already undertaken preliminary works including the Metro track closure and a new roundabout at The Kingsway’s junction with West Way.
Next month’s beginning of work will see the construction of the new pedestrian areas along the southbound carriageway (Metro track).
Council leader Rob Stewart said the plan was to “transform the city centre into a vibrant and bustling centre for business and leisure.”
He added: “The investment in the new city park and new traffic system will prepare The Kingsway for its transformation into the digital district as we start to deliver the £1.3bn City Deal projects. By creating the right environment we are already seeing an uplift of investment in the city centre and The Kingsway. This is happening ahead of creation of the planned digital district which will bring new investment and jobs as part of the City Deal.”
The council has already met with local businesses and community representatives to keep them updated on the works.
Swansea Bid (Business Improvement District) chief executive, Russell Greenslade, said: “I am pleased to see the city centre regeneration project under way. The remodelling work will create a more attractive and pleasant environment along the length of one of the most important arteries within the city – and from recent meetings we know the businesses in and around the site are looking forward to seeing the improvements taking shape.”
The Kingsway Infrastructure Project includes £4.5m of WEFO funding which will help with the demolition and refurbishment of buildings along the route.
Mr Stewart, added: “The EU funding is a key part of the story that will enable us to get on and transform The Kingsway and the city centre. It’ll help us create new public areas where people can sit, eat and relax. We’ll use contemporary design to enable public events, parades and gatherings to take place.
“The support we’re getting via the Welsh Government’s Wales European Funding Office (WEFO) will help us create more leisure space in the city.”