TRAM: British and Australian (American usually streetcar also trolley) noun [C] An electric vehicle that transports people, usually in cities, and goes along metal tracks in the road. (Taken from the Cambridge English Dictionary)
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TRAMS FOR SWANSEA?
Swansea – Sunday 16th September 2007
Cllr Rob Speht, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Swansea, has launched a campaign to bring trams back to the city’s streets. He believes that reintroducing trams would help to solve the major congestion problems being felt in the Welsh city.
Cllr Speht said: “There is evidence from around the world that cities that make the effort to build a tram system, experience an economic, cultural and social boom as the city is opened up again. Cities like Nottingham have found that a new tram system frees up the roads and enables residents to travel in and out of the city to work, study, shop and access services without the need of owning a car and the hassle of driving and parking."
Cllr Speht himself was the chair of a Committee back in 2004 which looked into the possibility of reintroducing trams but this work was abandoned when the committees were reorganised in 2006. At the time a cost was estimated as up to £100 million.
A website has been launched looking for people’s support to see if there is enough interest in bringing trams back to Swansea. On this website.
there is both an e-petition and a normal petition asking people to give their support to the plan.
The 2004-2006 committee looked at several different tram routes:
* Port Talbot (via SA1 / Fabien Way) to Mumbles
* County Hall (via the Bus Station, High St Station and the Liberty Stadium) to the Enterprise Park and Morriston
Blackpill to Dunvant, Gowerton and Llanelli
Any tramway would be funded mainly by private investment with the Council contributing to the planning elements and giving land to the project.
Trams last ran in the city on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway back which ran its final journey on 5th January 1960.
* To sign the petition go to this website and follow the links.
