New link road for south of Fabian Way proposed

A NEW link road parallel with one of Swansea’s busiest gateways could be created.

It would run south of Fabian Way – from Baldwin’s Crescent, not far from Swansea University’s Bay Campus, to Langdon Road in SA1.

Cabinet members have approved the acquisition of land to facilitate the link road.

The decision was made behind closed doors for commercial reasons, but minutes from the meeting show that 18 acres of land is due to be snapped up.

Key to the proposal is an upgrade of the bridge above Baldwin’s Crescent – known as Baldwin’s bridge – over which thousands of vehicles travel along Fabian Way in and out of Swansea every day.

Cllr Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment enhancement and infrastructure management, said: “The bridge is coming to the end of its natural lifespan and the council needs to look at how we replace it – with an interchange that delivers all modes of transport including walking and cycling as well as public transport and cars.

“Projected vehicles numbers mean we need to ensure we have infrastructure in place that can cope with vehicle increases, and also make better provision for more sustainable transport.”

The new link road, he said, would also potentially open up land for business development.

The road could emerge at a gap by builders’ merchants Hancock & Brown, on Langdon Road.

Langdon Road continues along SA1 to the city centre, but it is closed to all but cyclists and pedestrians at a point around 400 metres from Hancock & Brown, near Cambrian Boats Ltd.

It is understood that opening up this fenced-off section would require approval from landowners, the Welsh Government.

Ministers have provided funding to the council for feasibility and design work to upgrade Baldwin’s bridge.

Council chiefs said the link road project would reduce congestion along part of Fabian Way and offer a new cycling option for Bay Campus students heading to and from the city.

Cllr Thomas added: “These are ambitious plans which require support from the Welsh Government to help us realise these important transport improvements.

“Fabian Way is a key route into Swansea. We have plenty of ongoing redevelopment underway in the city centre and it’s crucial that one of the main routes into Swansea is fit for purpose in years to come.”

Assessments of the Fabian Way transport corridor were carried out in 2010 and 2014.

An employee at Cambrian Boats said the proposed link road would improve access onto Fabian Way, but he didn’t reckon it would boost footfall at the marine business.

“It might work for Mars Bars and pasties, but not boats,” he said.