CASTLE SQUARE: Work ramps up on the square’s green makeover — and a new big screen could show the Six Nations

Diggers are deep at work in the heart of Swansea as one of the city centre’s most prominent public spaces is torn up and rebuilt.

Heavy machinery has been excavating Castle Square, the open space beneath the ruins of Swansea Castle, where the old paving, steps and fountain are giving way to a greener redesign.

The work is the latest visible stage of a scheme the council first set in motion earlier this year, when an artist’s installation went up on the hoardings to mark the start of construction.

Contractor Knights Brown is now on site, with the square fenced off behind “danger deep excavations” signs and the ground stripped back to bare earth.

The council is rebranding the space Castle Square Gardens, a nod to its history — before its 1990s redesign, the area was known as Castle Gardens.

When finished, the square is set to include new lawns, biodiverse planting, a water feature for interactive play, two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail, and new seating, lighting and paving.

It will also have a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style space — and that screen has become a talking point.

At a council scrutiny panel this week, councillor Dai Jenkins asked whether the new screen would be ready in time to show the 2027 Six Nations.

Council leader Rob Stewart said the timetable made that a close-run thing, but that it was the ambition.

“The current completion and handover is likely to be after the Six Nations, but again, I know Lee and the team are currently looking at how they can advance that schedule,” he told the panel.

“It would be great if the screen were operational and the public were able to use the new square in time for the Six Nations.”

He added: “If not, obviously it’ll be available at the next major sporting event, but [I’d] love to see it open for the Six Nations if at all possible.”

A big screen is not new to Castle Square. The previous one was first put up for the 2012 London Olympics and stayed in place long afterwards, becoming a fixture for major sporting and civic occasions.

The two pavilion units, meanwhile, are already drawing interest. The council’s regeneration manager Lee Richards told the panel the authority could not yet name tenants, as the units had not been let.

But he said there was “significant interest”, adding that “a number of local vendors” could be “really good fits” for the spaces.

The square sits at the centre of the city’s wider regeneration, with new flats and commercial schemes taking shape around it — including ten apartments planned for a building overlooking the square.

The leaf-boat sculpture that long stood in the square has been removed and put into storage, with the council in talks over a new home for it — Cwmdonkin Park among the options.

For now, the diggers will keep working, with the greener Castle Square Gardens — screen and all — still to take shape.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Artist helps celebrate green future of Castle Square as revamp gets underway
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Ten new flats planned for building overlooking Castle Square
More city centre living as the push to bring people back into the heart of Swansea continues.

Swansea’s future mapped out in draft city centre plan
The wider blueprint for reshaping the city centre and waterfront.

Council’s Glynneath flood scheme wins top engineering award

Neath Port Talbot Council’s £3.6m Glynneath Flood Alleviation Scheme has won the Roy Edwards Award for Best Construction Project under £5m at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Cymru Awards.

The scheme, developed by the council’s drainage team with design partners Atkins Réalis and delivered by contractors Knights Brown, was praised for its innovative engineering and collaborative approach. It was funded through the Welsh Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme.

Five years in the making

Work on the project began in 2019 and was completed earlier this year. Delivered in two phases, it included the construction of a reinforced concrete intake structure at Lancaster Close, designed to withstand a one‑in‑100‑year storm and protect homes and businesses around Rock Street, Robert Street and the town centre.

Engineers also installed a pressurised 900mm culvert system with additional upstream drainage to improve surface water management at Gelliceibryn. A further 900mm pipe was laid beneath a narrow footway and carriageway, while resurfaced roads and new concrete channels were added to improve runoff. At Glynmelyn Road, a new culvert and raised walls replaced a ford crossing, strengthening the area’s flood defences.

“Significantly reduced flood risk”

Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for streetscene, said the award was a proud moment for the authority.

“These works have significantly reduced flood risk for residents and businesses and improved infrastructure resilience in the area,” he said. “The award is a testament to the ambition and passion for flood risk management held by our drainage team.

“This achievement highlights the importance of collaborative working, innovative engineering, and sustained investment in flood resilience.”

Welsh Government backing

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies, who has responsibility for climate change, said the scheme would deliver long‑term benefits to more than 270 properties.

“Our investment in this scheme, totalling over £3.6m, is yet another example of our commitment to address the challenges we face from climate change,” he said.

“In recent years, we have invested more than £300m to protect communities across Wales from increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather, with this year’s record funding rising to £77m.”

Recognition for local resilience

The award marks the culmination of five years of work to strengthen Glynneath’s flood defences. For residents, it represents not just an engineering achievement but greater peace of mind as the community faces increasingly severe weather events.

Related Articles

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  Five years of work culminated in major new defences to protect homes and businesses in Glynneath from flooding.
• Mumbles coastal flood defence scheme officially opens
  A £26.5m project has delivered a new seawall, reinforced coastal protection and a widened promenade, reducing flood risk to 126 properties and boosting the local economy.
• Ammanford’s £6m flood risk management scheme officially opened
  Welsh Government‑funded works by Natural Resources Wales now protect more than 300 homes, businesses and key transport routes in the town.
• Report reveals flood defence investment needed to keep pace with climate change
  A new study warns that Wales must increase long‑term funding to meet the growing risks of extreme weather and rising sea levels.

#AtkinsRéalis #award #civilEngineering #CllrScottJones #floodDefences #flooding #Glynneath #GlynneathFloodAlleviationScheme #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #InstitutionOfCivilEngineers #KnightsBrown #NeathPortTalbotCouncil

New images reveal greener, more vibrant future for Swansea’s Castle Square

Swansea Council says the redesign will see more than 40% of the square landscaped with greenery, alongside two new pavilion‑style buildings for cafés, restaurants or retail, a green‑roof terrace with public access, interactive water features, and a bandstand‑style stage topped with a large screen.

Contractor Knights Brown is currently on site carrying out enabling works, with completion expected by late 2026.

Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said:

“These new images give us the clearest view yet of the greener, more welcoming Castle Square we’re creating for Swansea.

For years, people have told us they want to see more greenery, more activity and more reasons to spend time in the square — and this transformation will deliver just that.

It will bring more life back into the heart of the city centre, support our local businesses and create a place for events, relaxation and community spirit.”

Castle Square through the centuries

Medieval origins
Part of the Anglo‑Norman settlement around Swansea Castle in the 11th–13th centuries, the area was laid out in long, narrow burgage plots and saw repeated Welsh attacks in 1116 and 1150.

19th–early 20th century
Home to the Ben Evans department store — the “Harrods of Wales” — and the town’s original market, symbolising Swansea’s commercial wealth.

WWII devastation
The Three‑Night Blitz of February 1941 destroyed most buildings in the square, including Ben Evans, with significant loss of life.

Post‑war gardens
In 1953, the site became a memorial garden with lawns, paths and flowerbeds to commemorate bombing victims.

1990s redesign
Green space was replaced with a harder, more urban layout, criticised for lacking atmosphere.

2020s revitalisation
Swansea Council’s current project will restore greenery, add water features, and create a flexible, event‑friendly public space.

Part of wider regeneration

The Castle Square project is a key element of Swansea’s £1 billion regeneration programme, which also includes major works at The Kingsway, Y Storfa, the former Castle Cinema and the McDonald’s building on Castle Street.

Preparatory works over the past year have included:

• Underground power line upgrades to support the new design
• Removal and safe storage of the Leaf Boat sculpture ahead of relocation
• Installation of hoardings with public access maintained around the site
• Opportunities for local businesses to bid for work packages

The new images will soon be displayed on hoardings around the site. All surrounding businesses remain open during the works.

#BenEvansDepartmentStore #CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrRobStewart #featured #KnightsBrown #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil

Local businesses invited to explore work opportunities at Castle Square transformation

As hoardings rise and fencing wraps around the city centre landmark, the long-awaited transformation of Castle Square is officially underway. The multi-million pound project, led by Swansea Council and delivered by contractor Knights Brown, promises to turn the tired public space into a vibrant, greener destination — and now, local businesses are being offered a chance to get involved.

A Meet the Buyer event will take place at the Swansea.com Stadium on Friday 18 July, from 9.30am to midday, giving contractors and suppliers the opportunity to learn more about the work packages available. Organised in partnership with Business Wales, the event will highlight opportunities in stone masonry, paving, landscaping, carpentry, waterproofing, lighting, drainage, steelwork, and more — including the installation of a new interactive water feature, green roofs, and a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility.

The Castle Square scheme is part of Swansea’s £1bn regeneration programme, which includes major developments at The Kingsway, Y Storfa, and the former Castle Cinema. Planning permission for the square’s redesign was granted following extensive public consultation, with residents calling for more greenery, better seating, and a space that could host events and gatherings.

The new design will introduce 40% green space, with lawns, ornamental planting, and biodiverse landscaping. Two pavilion buildings are planned to house food, drink, or retail businesses, helping to activate the square and encourage longer visits. The Leaf Boat sculpture, inspired by Dylan Thomas’s poetry, has already been carefully removed and placed in storage while a new permanent home is considered.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said the project reflects the council’s commitment to supporting local jobs and businesses:

“We know local residents and businesses want Castle Square to be greatly improved. It’s also important that local businesses have the opportunity to benefit from construction work of this kind and that we keep as much spending as possible in the Swansea economy.”

Preparatory work has included underground power line upgrades and ground condition testing4. Temporary fencing and hoardings now surround the site, with pedestrian access maintained on surrounding streets including Caer Street, Castle Bailey Street, Princess Way and Temple Street. Bus routes and the Caer Street taxi rank remain unchanged, and all businesses in the area are trading as normal.

Castle Square has long been a focal point in Swansea’s civic life. Once home to the Ben Evans department store, the site was devastated during the Three Nights’ Blitz in 1941 and later redeveloped as a public garden and memorial. The current layout, introduced in the 1990s, has been criticised for its lack of greenery and atmosphere — something the new scheme aims to address.

The transformation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the square set to become a hub for public events, social gatherings, and city centre vitality.

For more information or to book a space at the Meet the Buyer event, visit the Business Wales event page.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Castle Square work to start as hoardings go up around site
Temporary fencing and safety signage installed as transformation begins on city centre landmark.

Leaf sculpture to go as Castle Square work takes step forward
Dylan Thomas-inspired artwork removed and stored ahead of major redevelopment.

Underground power line works to pave way for Castle Square transformation
National Grid upgrades prepare site for new green space, water feature and pavilion buildings.

Greener Castle Square proposals get planning permission
Public feedback shapes final design as council secures approval for city centre revamp.

#CastleSquare #CastleSquareGardens #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #construction #KnightsBrown #MeetTheBuyer #regeneration #Swansea #SwanseaCityCentre #SwanseaCouncil

Sea defences project creates new work opportunities

The Knights Brown workforce – including sub-contractors – attached to Swansea Council’s Mumbles coastal protection project has numbered up to 100 every day.

Among them are a number of workers hired by the firm during the course of the scheme.

Once complete, the council says the strengthened sea wall and improved prom will protect the community for generations to come and attract many thousands of visitors.

Apprentice civil engineer Porsche Demery, aged 18, of Morriston, said: “I’m proud to be working on such an important project.

“There are always challenges as with any major scheme, there are problems to solve and a huge range of tasks to complete. Every day’s different.

“I’m excited to be part of the construction industry – it has a wide range of jobs and helps people develop a wide range of skills.”

Apprentice quantity surveyor Brandon Worth, aged 22, of Port Talbot, said: “My role with Knights Brown has allowed me to make a real-life impact on the Mumbles coastal protection scheme.

“I’ve been able to broaden my skillset and I’m being treated really well by everybody here – the Knights Brown workforce is really supportive.

“I was attracted to the industry because it offers the ability to make towns and cities more inviting and environmentally friendly.”

Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens, said: “It’s great to see new work skills being developed on our Mumbles project.

“It illustrates that local communities are benefiting from the scheme, by getting people into work.

“I thank Knights Brown, our main contractors, working with us to create a number of new posts to help them deliver this scheme on our behalf.

“The result will be Mumbles becoming a more resilient and attractive visitor destination.”

Knights Brown divisional director Andrew Eilbeck said: “We are proud of our dedication to apprenticeships, which demonstrates our commitment to nurturing local talent and offering valuable opportunities for individuals beginning their careers in the industry.

“Through the Mumbles Coastal Protection Scheme, we are pleased to contribute to the community by promoting skill development and supporting sustainable employment, leaving a lasting and positive legacy for the local area.

“We are incredibly proud of our dedicated team, who have worked tirelessly to deliver this scheme. Their expertise, commitment, and collaborative approach have been instrumental in the project’s success.”

Knights Brown staffing at Mumbles has also been helped – through a number of other recruits – by Swansea Council’s Beyond Bricks and Mortar team which helps deliver additional benefits from council contracts. These boosts include apprenticeships, jobs and work experience for Swansea residents.

The multi-million pound Mumbles coastal protection project is on course for completion this summer (note: 2025).

Its aim is to safeguard the community, its seafront homes, businesses, organisations, facilities and events from rising sea levels and coastal erosion.

The council say the prom has been improved for visitors, with improved accessibility, more greenery, new public art and more play opportunities.

The project was mainly funded by the Welsh Government.

#apprentices #CllrAndrewStevens #construction #KnightsBrown #Mumbles #SeaDefences #SwanseaCouncil

Open for Christmas: More than 500 yards of Mumbles promenade

As thousands of people visit the seafront to enjoy the holiday season, construction teams installing a new sea defence system have ensured access to panoramic sea views.

Final work, including widening the prom to a consistent 6m, laying a hard-wearing top surface, creating landscaped beds and play areas and installing smart new energy-efficient lights, is due to be carried out by around Easter time.

Project work is around 70% complete.

The prom areas open this Christmas, with new wave-return wall and elegant stainless steel safety rails, will include the spans from the George pub-restaurant to Southend Slip and from Oyster Wharf to the Mumtaz restaurant.

These areas offer an early indication of how the multi-million pound coastal protection scheme is advancing.

The work – to make the community safer against the threat of storms and rising tides – is being carried out by specialist contractors Knights Brown on behalf of Swansea Council. The majority of the funding is from the Welsh Government.

Andrew Stevens, council cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said:

“It’s great that people will be able to enjoy walking and cycling along significant parts of Mumbles prom this Christmas.

“Visiting this fantastic area is key to the holiday season for many Swansea residents. I’m sure they’ll enjoy the panoramic sea views this season and will be interested to see how the coastal protection scheme is progressing.

“It’ll also be another chance for them to support local business which have been understanding as work has been taking place.

“The improved coastal defences will protect homes, businesses, organisations and events for decades to come; the wider prom, increased amount of greenery, improved lighting, new play opportunities and improved links with Mumbles Road will make visiting the area even more of a pleasure than it has been in the past.”

Knights Brown project manager Neil Chambers added:

“It’s a pleasure to make large area of the prom accessible for the holiday period.

“We hope that people come and enjoy the views, get a further understanding of how work is progressing – and support the businesses of Mumbles.”

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

#featured #KnightsBrown #MumblesPromenade #SwanseaCouncil