Ambitious plans for our city's future unveiled
AMBITIOUS plans for a greener, prosperous and vibrant 21st century Swansea, are being unveiled by the council.
Building on success stories like the Swansea arena, new schools and play areas and a £750m new deal for the city centre, the city is set to be transformed in the coming years.
And as Swansea heads into a summer packed with major international sports, music and cultural events, they're helping set the stage for an optimistic and vibrant future for the city.
Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said that plans being set out for the next five years include the transformation of Castle Square Gardens, the rejuvenation of Mumbles and the sweep of Swansea Bay and the delivery of new, exciting visitor attractions.
And he pledged that none of the city's communities would be left behind thanks to tens of millions of pounds of investment in road improvements, street cleaning and community facilities alongside support for struggling families and the homeless.
He said: "Swansea has always been a city of ambition. Now it is a city delivering on our people's priorities."
Among the highlights of the city's ambition for the future are:
- Delivering a £750m city centre transformation that started with the arena
- Opening an outdoor adventure park on Kilvey Hill in 2025 that would include cable cars, ziplines and luge runs
- Making progress on the £1.7bn Blue Eden renewable energy scheme set to include a tidal lagoon
- Developing a new aquarium
- Building hundreds more energy-efficient council properties, upgrading existing homes to help reduce fuel bills
- New hotels in the city centre and near the Swansea.com Stadium
- Delivering a city centre community hub and a new role for the former Debenhams store
City communities can also expect:
- Continued support to encourage eligible households to claim the Welsh Government £150 cost of living payment
- A £10m boost for road repairs
- Cleansing, littering and weeding teams dedicated to every neighbourhood
- New PATCH road repair teams being rolled out
- More electric vehicle charging points
- Investment in thousands more trees, our parks and biodiversity
- A new generation of walking and cycling routes
- Play area upgrades and improved skate facilities
Cllr Stewart said the free bus travel initiative and upgrades for outdoor play areas was helping families make ends meet at a time when every penny counts. At the same time city centre regeneration spearheaded by the council was attracting millions of pounds of private sector investment.
He said: "The cost of living crisis and climate change will be among the biggest challenges any of us will face over the coming years.
"From food banks to free bus travel, from better homes to better schools, we'll carry on supporting families and communities who are struggling to get by.
"We'll continue investing in major projects and community priorities like schools, children's welfare and adult wellbeing. This combined investment enables resilience and promotes wellbeing. It creates and protects jobs and it makes Swansea a better place to live, work and do business.
"And by investing in green energy, growing our green spaces and welcoming new people, new investment and fresh ideas, we can look forward to building a better future."