New smart sensors rolled out to protect Swansea’s water users

According to the council, more than 40 Public Rescue Aid (PRA) units are now fitted with the technology at key waterside locations including the River Tawe and Swansea Marina, with further installations planned ahead of summer at Singleton Lake, Mumbles Promenade, Bracelet Bay, Caswell and Langland.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, Councillor Andrew Stevens, said the sensors were proving “a simple but powerful way” to protect the public. He said missing or moved rescue equipment “puts the public at real risk”, and that the new system allows the council to respond faster and replace equipment sooner.

The council states that when a rescue aid is opened or disturbed, the system automatically alerts its Water Safety Team, who can then visit the site within 24 hours. This sits alongside the team’s routine two‑weekly physical inspections carried out throughout the year.

Water Safety Co‑ordinator Andrew Suter said the technology had already supported a real emergency response. He said he received a call from police about a rescue on the River Tawe involving a life ring, but the system had already notified him that the equipment had been opened, allowing the council to replace it the next day.

Swansea Council says the example highlights the partnership between its Water Safety Team and emergency services, and confirmed it will continue expanding the sensor network as part of its commitment to improving water safety and ensuring rescue equipment remains available and in good condition.

More Water Safety News

New sensors a ‘life-saver’ for water safety aids
How smart technology is helping Swansea Council protect the public.

Holiday park brings water safety lessons to schools
Initiative launched as Wales records the UK’s highest drowning figures.

Call for action as young people’s drowning deaths rise
New figures prompt renewed warnings from safety campaigners.

Council warns vandals are putting lives at risk
Swansea Council urges the public to stop tampering with rescue equipment.

Body recovered from River Tawe after major emergency response

South Wales Police said officers were called to Quay Parade at around 7.50am after reports that a person had entered the water. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the RNLI, Coastguard teams and the Welsh Ambulance Service were all deployed.

Shortly before 1.30pm, divers located and recovered the man’s body. Formal identification has yet to take place.

Multi‑agency search

The incident sparked a major response, with fire crews from Swansea Central, Carmarthen, Swansea West and Morriston stations working alongside police, Coastguard and RNLI teams to search the river and riverbanks.

The Mumbles RNLI confirmed that both its Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) and All‑Weather Lifeboat (ALB) launched at 8am to assist. The ALB provided safety and search cover at the river mouth, while the ILB supported fire service crews in searching the river itself.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said:

“We were called today at approximately 7.40am to reports of an incident in the River Tawe, Swansea. We sent one emergency ambulance, one Cymru High Acuity Response Unit, one operations manager and a hazardous area response team to the scene.”

Police statement

In a social media update, South Wales Police confirmed:

“Officers were called to the River Tawe at Quay Parade, Swansea at around 7.50am today following a report of a person having entered the water. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, The RNLI and the Coast Guard also attended. Shortly before 1.30pm, divers located a man’s body, which has now been recovered. Formal identification has yet to take place.”

Ongoing investigation

Police say enquiries are continuing and further details will be released once formal identification has been completed.

#allWeatherLifeboat #featured #midAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #mumblesInshoreLifeboat #mumblesRnli #policeDivers #riverTawe #southWalesPolice #swansea #waterRescue

Plans unveiled for 150‑home riverside neighbourhood in St Thomas

Swansea Council’s Cabinet will be asked on 18 September to approve a Stage 1 Project Plan for the seven‑acre St Thomas Waterfront site, unlocking the next phase of design work and public consultation.

The scheme, part of the council’s 20‑year Shaping Swansea regeneration partnership with developer Urban Splash, would see the former industrial land north of the river bridges redeveloped into a mix of apartments and townhouses, with half of all homes classed as affordable — a higher proportion than the 20% normally required in this part of the city.

At the southern end of the site, a six‑storey landmark building is proposed, with commercial space on the ground floor for shops, cafés or leisure uses. A central green street would run through the development, opening onto shared garden spaces, while new and improved riverside walkways, safer road crossings and cycle‑friendly routes would connect St Thomas to the city centre and SA1. The plans also include a landscaped buffer along Pentreguinea Road to help screen traffic and reduce noise.

Council leader Cllr Rob Stewart said the project would breathe new life into a site that has stood empty for decades. “Large parts of the river corridor have been left behind for too long,” he said. “This project is about changing that – bringing new homes, affordable housing, green public spaces and other facilities to the riverside. The scheme will help address local housing demand while reconnecting people with the Tawe and creating a thriving neighbourhood that builds on Swansea’s rich history.”

Urban Splash, working in joint venture with Lovell, is leading the design alongside Stirling Prize‑winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, landscape architects Grant Associates and engineers Arup. Housing association Pobl Group is proposed as the partner to deliver the majority of the affordable homes.

David Warburton, of Urban Splash, said the vision was to create a sustainable neighbourhood that feels part of the existing community, with high‑quality homes, green spaces and new routes for walking, cycling and enjoying the river. “The next stage will involve detailed design work and conversations with local people so together we can shape a development Swansea can be proud of,” he said.

If Cabinet approves the Stage 1 plan, Urban Splash will have six months to produce a Stage 2 Project Plan with detailed designs, costings and a public engagement programme before a planning application is submitted. The St Thomas site is one of seven strategic locations earmarked for regeneration under the Shaping Swansea partnership, which also includes projects at the Civic Centre, Guildhall and other key city‑centre plots.

#AllfordHallMonaghanMorris #Arup #construction #featured #GrantAssociates #Lovell #newHomes #PlanningPermission #Pobl #RiverTawe #StThomas #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #TaweBridges #UrbanSplash

New trail launched on Tawe Trails history app

The latest addition — an audio‑only Tawe navigation trail — has been created for passengers on the popular Copper Jack River Cruise, offering a guided journey up and down the River Tawe packed with stories from the city’s industrial past.

It joins six other trails already available, covering Hafod Morfa Copperworks, White Rock, Parc Llewelyn, Swansea Canal at Clydach, Morriston Park and the wider Lower Swansea Valley.

The app, developed by Swansea Council’s regeneration team and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, features interactive maps, waypoint pins, high‑quality images, satellite and street views, selfie postcard frames, accessibility settings and offline functionality. Content is available in English and Welsh, including audio narration.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis‑Davies said it was encouraging to see more than 700 downloads so far, with that figure expected to rise over the school holidays.

“The Lower Swansea Valley was at the heart of the copper industry that helped spread Swansea’s name across the world,” he said. “Thanks to the app, people will learn that Swansea’s story is Britain’s story — and we’re sharing it in the most modern way.”

The newest trail also includes accessibility and safety advice, along with background on historic sites such as Lougher Castle, Oxwich Castle, Weobley Castle and Pennard Castle.

The Tawe Trails app is free to download from the iTunes Store and Google Play.

#app #CllrRobertFrancisDavies #Clydach #CopperJack #HafodMorfaCopperworks #history #MorristonPark #ParcLlewelyn #RiverTawe #SwanseaCanal #SwanseaCouncil #SwanseaValley #TaweTrails #WhiteRock

Swansea waterways revival takes step forward with new feasibility study

The New Destinations report, published by the Swansea Community Boat Trust, outlines plans for a 35-mile blue/green corridor stretching from Clydach to Port Tennant, linking the River Tawe with the Swansea Canal, Tennant Canal, and Neath Canal.

The study was supported by the university’s Centre for Heritage Research and Training (CHART) and funded by MEDR – the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research. It explores how regenerating lost canals and navigable stretches of the Tawe could unlock benefits ranging from tourism and active travel to climate resilience and flood mitigation.

Dr Alex Langlands, Associate Professor and CHART co-director, said:

“This report proposes a bold and ambitious plan mapped against the need for climate adaptation, green-space provision and economic regeneration. More than anything, it represents a forward-looking ambition that has at its heart the wellbeing of future generations.”

The Trust’s vision includes new waterways connecting the Prince of Wales Dock to the Tennant Canal, shaded canal paths lined with trees, and opportunities for walking, cycling, kayaking and paddleboarding. The project could be delivered in phases as funding becomes available.

John Davies, a long-standing waterways volunteer and driving force behind the initiative, said:

“If it receives the backing of Swansea Council, New Destinations will create a massive new visitor destination based firmly on our city’s proud industrial heritage.”

The report also highlights the potential to enhance the Wales Coastal Path and improve access to Swansea Waterfront, while reconnecting communities across the valley.

#CentreForHeritageResearchAndTraining #DrAlexLanglands #PortTennant #PrinceOfWalesDock #RiverTawe #Swansea #SwanseaCommunityBoatTrust #SwanseaUniversity #TennantCanal

New sensors a ‘life-saver’ for water safety aids

Swansea Council say waterside vandals are stealing rescue aids or needlessly throwing them in the water in areas including Swansea Marina and the River Tawe.

Now, pioneering new electronic sensors are being put in place to help keep the aids at their posts and alert the council’s Water Safety Team when one goes missing or is disturbed.

The move comes as the team begins its summer-long campaign to encourage people to go safe in the water – and to avoid it completely if they’ve been drinking alcohol.

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, urged residents to continue to report missing water safety aids and anyone they spot tampering with them to the police.

He said: “It’s a criminal offence to tamper with rescue aids and we check CCTV to see if we can identify those responsible. Any evidence will be immediately forwarded to the police for prosecution.

“Our water safety team inspects our network of water safety aids every fortnight and replace missing aids within 24 hours of them being reported missing.

“We’ve already fitted sensors at a number of locations around the city and we’re looking to do more in the coming months when more supplies of sensors come in. But the best thing anyone can do is leave the safety aids where they are except for when they’re needed.

“Vandalism of these devices is a criminal offence for a reason. It’s not a victimless crime and puts people’s lives at risk. The new sensors will help save lives by alerting our teams when a safety aid goes missing.”

Andrew Suter, Swansea Council’s Water Safety manager said the water safety team has a rigorous approach to checking rescue aids in the Marina area and along the Tawe to help keep people safe.

He said the council has joined with other emergency services to promote the summer-long Respect the Water campaign.

Mr Suter said: “Around 140 people lose their lives to drowning around our coasts each year and it’s one of the main causes of death among young adults.

“Going near the sea, swimming in a river or a lake or reservoir is especially risky if you’ve had a drink and you misunderstand the conditions you’re getting into.

“During the warmer summer months thousands of people visit our beaches, over Bank Holidays, especially when there’s an extended period of warm weather and sunshine.

“That’s why we have worked in close partnership with expert lifeguards at the Royal National Lifeguard Institution for a number of years to ensure our beaches are covered at the busiest time.”

#RiverTawe #Swansea #SwanseaMarina #vandalism #WaterSafety

Swansea Bay Sewage Scandal: Tawe named as one of the most polluted rivers in UK

According to data published today, the River Tawe is one of the most sewage-polluted in the entire UK.

Figures released today show that Dwr Cymru released sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea for more than 968,000 hours last year, an increase compared to more than 916,000 hours the year before, despite the public outrage and campaigns by groups like Surfers Against Sewage.

The River Tawe saw a staggering 2,173 sewage dumps in 2024, lasting 16,144 hours. This made it the 14th most polluted river in the entire UK.

Meanwhile, the River Neath saw sewage dumped 1,351 times, lasting 7,507 hours.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats, who have been campaigning to clean up Welsh rivers over several years, have stated that the new figures were ‘catastrophic’ for local wildlife and risk damaging tourism and public health.

The Party has stated that the Welsh Government have been ‘asleep at the wheel’, using Dwr Cymru’s position as a so-called ‘non-profit’ and ‘arm’s length’ organisation to avoid proper regulation and accountability.

They have also criticised the previous Conservative UK Government for failing to clamp down on the financial regulation of water companies, with Dwr Cymru having paid out huge bonuses to executives in recent years, despite having one of the worst environmental records of all companies and continuing to charge customers the highest bills in the UK.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Gwyr Abertawe (Swansea West & Gower) and Swansea Councillor for Waterfront Ward, Sam Bennett said: “The Welsh Liberal Democrats have consistently pressed both the UK and Welsh Governments to take meaningful action on this growing environmental crisis. Yet, Welsh Labour has remained asleep at the wheel—using Dŵr Cymru’s status as an arm’s-length body as an excuse to avoid proper regulation and accountability.

“As a result, we’ve seen Dŵr Cymru hike customer bills and hand out ridiculously large bonuses to its executives, all while ranking among the worst water polluters in the UK.

“Our rivers and seas are vital to our wildlife, our culture, and our economy—particularly tourism—and they deserve far better stewardship.

“If elected to the Senedd next year, I will use my voice to continue to hold both water companies and governments to account.”

Adding her comments, Welsh Lib Dem Leader & Senedd Candidate for Neath Jane Dodds MS said: “For years, the Conservatives allowed water companies to get away with polluting our beautiful local rivers while paying out massive and undeserved bonuses, all while charging Welsh customers record-breaking prices.

“The Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with this crisis and properly regulate Welsh Water and ensure there are real, enforceable punishments for breaking the rules and damaging our waterways.

“We’ve been pushing them for years on this issue, but they’ve totally failed to even start to get to grips with it.

#DwrCymru #featured #JaneDodds #Neath #pollution #RiverNeath #RiverTawe #SamBennett #Swansea #WelshLiberalDemocrats #WelshWater

Community volunteers fish out Tawe waste to support river sailings

The items were removed from a section of the river close to the Bascule Bridge as they were causing an obstruction to the Copper Jack vessel when it turns around on its trips from Swansea Marina.

Thousands of residents enjoy River Tawe cruises on the Copper Jack every year. 

These include school trips, free and subsidised trips for registered charities, live music trips, scout groups, sailings for the public, private charters and the cuppa and a chat sailings funded by Swansea Council through its ageing well initiative and the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Swansea Community Boat Trust volunteers carried out the waste removal work with support from the Swansea Maritime Volunteer Service.

Other items removed from the riverbed included fencing and a traffic cone.

Mark Whalley, Swansea Community Boat Trust chairman, said:

“One of the problems we are faced with when sailing the Copper Jack on the Tawe is the increasing amount of discarded waste on the riverbed – everything from submerged trees that have come downstream to cars, fencing, bikes and shopping trollies.

“This means the vessel has had difficulty turning at our winding point just downstream of the Bascule Bridge, so with the permission of Natural Resources Wales we recently spent four hours on the water to fish out some of the objects that were causing an obstruction.

“We’ll look to do this again when the weather is a little warmer and we’ll have a clearer view of the riverbed.

“We’d like to thank the Swansea Maritime Volunteer Service for their support and to convey our gratitude to Swansea Council, who organised an area at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks site for the items we fished out to be temporarily stored prior to their responsible disposal.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Investment and Tourism, said:

“The Copper Jack sailings are very popular, so we’re pleased to have been able to support the Swansea Community Boat Trust with their work to remove obstacles from the riverbed.

“We’re committed to doing all we can to help bring the River Tawe more back into use, which is why a pontoon will soon be operational close to the Hafod Morfa Copperworks site to encourage even more river trips in future.”

Head to www.scbt.org.uk for more information about the Copper Jack and its sailings.

#CopperJack #RiverTawe #SwanseaCommunityBoatTrust

It will help lead to the return of 112-year-old Bascule Bridge in Landore.

The structure is earmarked by Swansea Council as a key heritage feature of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site’s bright future.

The aim is to re-install the restored 70-tonne steel span at its site crossing the River Tawe. Restoration work, in the form of detailed investigations, structural repairs and painting, has taken place at Afon Engineering, Swansea Vale, since summer 2019.

Having investigated the bridge’s timberwork that helps support the span, the council is now about to look for a specialist business to repair those wooden elements.

Officers continue to work closely with Welsh Government’s historic environment service Cadw on the project.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said:

“Our detailed work so far puts us in a strong position to move to the next stage of repairing and restoring this wonderful survivor of Swansea’s industrial history.

“We’re in constant contact with Cadw to ensure that the restoration journey meets their requirements.”

Fellow cabinet member Mark Thomas said:

“The timber restoration will be specialist work and we hope to start that early next year.

“In the meantime, we plan to move the span from Afon Engineering to a new short-term temporary home close to the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site which is undergoing regeneration.

“Work is essential at this time to prevent further decay and risk loss of this grade II listed structure and scheduled monument. Any further delay would result in the loss of this valuable heritage that forms a critical part of Swansea’s story.

“Our work on the Bascule Bridge will complement the work we are doing to develop a world class tourist destination at the copperworks; this attracted National Lottery Heritage Funding of £3.75m to restore the Powerhouse for future use as a Penderyn Distillery visitor attraction.”

Wales’ Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters added:

“I am pleased that we’ve been able to contribute to this important project via our Transforming Towns programme which supports the economic and social recovery of our town and city centres across Wales.   

“Restoring this historic bridge is important to the overall development of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks as a heritage and tourism site that I am sure will attract visitors from far and wide.”

Louise Mees, Cadw’s regional inspector of ancient monuments, said:

“The Bascule Bridge was pivotal to the area’s time as the world copper capital and is a unique part of Swansea’s industrial heritage.  

“It was built in 1909 to carry materials and waste between the two copper works on either side of the River Tawe. It was hinged so that it could be lifted to allow the ships with high masts that were carrying cargo and trade to and from all around the world to navigate the river.”

A unique feature of Swansea’s industrial heritage, the Bascule Bridge was pivotal to the area’s time as the world copper capital. Its hinged steel structure would lift to allow the passage of river traffic.

The initial main work on the steel elements was part funded by Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding support together with a funding contribution from the council.

Businesses involved in the work include lead contractor Griffiths, through the Swansea Highways Partnership, and  structural engineers/consultants Mann Williams.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/13/restoration-work-on-historic-swansea-bridge-moves-ahead/

#featured #Landore #RiverTawe #SwanseaCouncil