Historic bridge set to span the Tawe once more

A HISTORIC bridge is to be put back across Swansea's River Tawe, seven years after its span was removed for restoration.

- RICHARD YOULE

Cllr David Hopkins, cabinet member for delivery, told a group of councillors funding was in place for the reinstatement of the bascule bridge at Landore, and that it was “definitely down to be done” next financial year.

The bascule bridge was built in 1909, providing a rail link while also allowing masted ships to sail upriver thanks to a weighted drum which tilted one half of the bridge upwards at the centre. Bascule is the French word for seesaw.

In 2019 a large crane removed the bridge span, which had been fenced off for decades, and the aim at the time was to restore and replace it the following year. Key to the project is upgrading the bridge’s timber supports - work which still needs doing. The span, which weighs around 70 tonnes, has been restored.

The bridge was mentioned during a discussion about a potential expansion of water links along the Lower Swansea Valley from the city centre to Trebanos.