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(Image: South Wales Evening Post)

Swansea's High Street has been shortlisted as one of the best in the UK - just months after it was dubbed by a national newspaper as possibly one of the worst in the country.

The award, sponsored by Visa, recognises "the UK's best high streets with exceptionally strong local communities which are leading the way to the high streets of the future."

Swansea joins 11 other high streets across Great Britain and Northern Ireland vying for the title of UK champion.

Last year Crickhowell snatched the title of the UK's best high street.

In March this year, The Sun newspaper claimed businesses were saying the "criminals have won" and shutting up shop on the high street, claiming it was unsafe even to walk the streets after 5pm.

It said: "People in Swansea say they have been crushed by violence, gun crime, drugs and prostitution."

The story followed a Wales Online article on the closure of the White Swan pub in High Street, after landlord, Gez Couch, became fed up with witnessing drugs, violence and prostitution on the streets.

In a previous Wales Online article it was reported how police were called into action, on average, three times a day to High Street, where sexual offences, robbery and theft were among the 1,164 incidents recorded there by police in the previous 12 months.

Now, in a dramatic turnaround, the same high street has been included in the shortlist for the best of its kind in the UK.

The write-up says: "Swansea High Street takes visitors right into the heart of the city .

"Swansea High Street is taking major steps forward to regenerate and future proof the high street for years to come".

It says that, following a £25 million investment, Swansea's Urban Village will expand the high street with new shops, businesses and homes.

It adds: "As part of the Urban Village, Swansea Tech provides space for 20 digital startups and employs over 300 people.

"Plans are also in place to build two new student blocks to house more than 1,300 students.

"The weekly car boot sale along with the theatre, and gallery, attract a wide range of people to the high street. Great customer service is a hallmark of the high street with four businesses achieving Swansea BID's Extra Mile award."

Also shortlisted in Wales are Narberth - " a town of independent businesses run by passionate locals who are committed to the success of their high street", and Treorchy, which " offers a unique experience to its customers , with 80% of its businesses being independent boutique stores."

The awards also recognise Rising Star High Streets, celebrating "up and coming local communities which are on their way to transforming for the future."

The seven Welsh areas shortlisted are Palace Street, Caernarfon , Camarthen town, Llanelli , Mold high street, Triangle House in Welshpool and Caldicot town centre in Monmouthshire.

Llanelli, of course, has had its own problems of late, with shops quitting the town centre , although there are some positive signs for the future .

To qualify for both categories, all applications were reviewed by an independent panel of judges who determined the shortlisted Champion and Rising Star high streets.

All shortlisted high streets will be visited by the Great British High Street judges, who will assess them against their original entry. This accounts for 80% of the overall score with the final 20% being determined by public voting on the website, to show the support of the local community.

There were mixed reactions in High Street to the shortlisting.

Raj Singh, 25, an employee at S Brothers News and Off Licence, said: "It's getting better. There are more police on patrol, more shops opening, new flats."

On the community aspect of High Street, he added: "Overall it's better than it was, a lot cleaner than what it was before. People feel safer but people are still scared sometimes walking through the High Street in the night."

This High Street shop caters to the top end of the market :

Erkan Tasci, 49, manager of Swansea Food said it was a surprise that High Street was shortlisted.

She said: "I came here in 2010, no-one was on the High Street, so it's a surprise for me. Nice and tidy people come in here. Swansea's a very nice city."

Donna Harris, 51, of Townhill, said she was also a bit surprised Swansea was up for the award, but said the area was picking up now.

She added: "There are more shops and not so many drunks and druggies on here now. It used to be really nice up here."

She said there had been a change in the way High Street felt recently.

"I wouldn't have walked up here 12 months ago, it was like a ghost town. Now it's nice to come up here," she said.

Gareth Jones, 47, manager at Nisa Local, agreed the area had improved.

He said: "Yeah there are changes.

"We all know the police can only do what they can do. I've worked here for 20 years now and I would say there are a lot less police in the city centre now than there was years ago.

"Is it any safer? It's about as safe as it was 10 years ago. Everyone makes a big thing of 'Oh I can't walk down the High Street in the dark, I can't do this in the day,' but if you asked someone 10 years ago they would have told you the same answers to the same questions."

Julian John, who was waiting for a cab, said he was surprised at the shortlisting.

He said: "Obviously there's a lot of work that's been done and it's obviously in a process of redevelopment so it bodes well for the future, but a bit more work can be done."

On whether there was a noticeable change in the past months, he said: "Not in the last couple of months.

"There's obviously going to be more students in the area but I've not seen any changes with new shops or services or anything like that."

Alan Laws, 67, temporary chairman and trustee at the Swansea Community Workshops, said the shortlisting had come as a surprise.

"I travel quite a bit, not only here but abroad and I don't think Swansea High Street is to a standard that people in Swansea could be proud of.

"We've got a problem with lots of drug users, especially outside the station which is the first place you come to if you come on the train.

"The second thing is that the Swansea High Street looks like a rundown old High Street which is what it is. The whole thing needs brightening up.

"Now the council is coming out with lots of rhetoric on what we're going to do, and what we can do doesn't achieve anything apart from rhetoric. What's needed is action."

He said there had been a slight difference in the area in recent months: "I've seen the odd policeman walking around which is unusual. I have noticed that there are less, during the day, drug users, but if you walk up the High Street in the evening it's still quite unsafe.

"We have an evening class, or when we stay later in the evening as we're doing something, you'll find that the drug users are up and down the High Street. The prostitutes are all standing by bus stops so that the police think they're going to catch a bus. There's not much change."

Andrew Davies, 50, senior support worker at Swansea Drop-In Centre, responded strongly to the recent negative publicity.

He said: "The slating that the High Street had a few months ago was by one person and one person only and that was the guy who ran the White Swan up the road. Yes it has improved.

"If you want to look at it from one point of view that the anti-social behaviour is no longer happening so much, but it has failed as it has just been moved out into different parts of the city.

"The Marina, also down in Brynmill, Manselton, Brynhyfryd - all those close areas right away round the outskirts of the High Street have now taken the brunt.

"There are people out there that are regular troublemakers who have been the main cause of anti-social behaviour in the past. The anti-social behaviour has been moved on and I have seen that improvement on the High Street but it hasn't stopped the anti-social behaviour."

On the community feel of the high street, he said: "I've been working in this area for 12 to 15 years now and the one thing I will always say about the High Street is it has always had that community feel.

"I am surprised it has been nominated for this fantastic thing so close to the time it was nominated as the worst High Street. I personally think Swansea High Street should get an award, maybe it will regenerate it. I'm 50 years of age. I'm born and bred in Swansea. Swansea is a great place and the High Street used to be a great place."

Russell Greenslade, Swansea BID chief executive, said: "We are very pleased to see Swansea High Street in the running for this coveted national prize. We hope Swansea supporters will get behind the important public vote, to help propel High Street to a win.

"Swansea High Street has a number of challenges - as do all High Streets across the UK - and these are being faced head-on by all of the relevant partners and stakeholders.

"It is important that we recognise the very positive work that is going on to boost the fortunes and the success of High Street, long-term.

"And it is important that we note the improvements that have been going on over the past years and months.

"Ongoing investment, a sense of local pride, targeted crime reduction initiatives, the hard work and commitment of High Street businesses, and a determination to make one of the busiest thoroughfares into Swansea an ongoing success story, have already left their mark on High Street, and they will continue to do so.

"Let's get behind Swansea High Street and make our support known in the public voting section of the great British Hight Street Awards."

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: "Swansea BID and the council recognise High Street is a street which is undergoing a transformation into a part of the city centre where businesses thrive and somewhere we can all be proud of.

"There is a huge amount of investment (£110m) going into High Street that will transform the area and Swansea Council is playing its part in delivering this.

"Major organisations such as Coastal Housing and Trinity St David University are showing confidence in the street by investing millions to develop sites which will lead to a huge increase in footfall for local businesses in the area.

"This is in addition to new hi-tech businesses who have previously moved in and are helping to provide real progress in terms of the regeneration of High Street.

"The Council has helped to provide grants to other businesses to enhance or bring back into use key buildings on High Street and the surrounding area - these include improvements to the Grand Hotel opposite the station, the rescue of the derelict building at 71 High Street as well as new leisure and retail businesses on The Strand and Castle Street. "

Members of the public can cast their vote here .

The winners of the Great British High Street Awards will be announced in November.

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Swansea street branded one of country's worst now named one of the best

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Swansea's High Street has been shortlisted as one of the best in the UK - just months after it was dubbed by a national newspaper as possibly one of the worst in the country. The award, sponsored by Visa, recognises "the UK's best high streets with exceptionally strong local communities which are leading the way to the high streets of the future."

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Regeneration plans for Swansea

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Regeneration and development plans and policies

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Strategies, plans and policies for regeneration and development.

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GOAD maps 1991

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GOAD maps 1981

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Swansea

The 'Love the Words' exhibition tells the story of Dylan's life, work and legacy, from his birth on 27 October 1914 in Swansea to his death on 9 November 1953 in New York. The Dylan Thomas Centre also hosts a range of events throughout the year.

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The 'Love the Words' exhibition tells the story of Dylan's life, work and legacy, from his birth on 27 October 1914 in Swansea to his death on 9 November 1953 in New York. The Dylan Thomas Centre also hosts a range of events throughout the year.

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Old maps of Swansea on Old Maps Online. Discover the past of Swansea on historical maps.

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The MAGIC website provides authoritative geographic information about the natural environment from across government. The information covers rural, urban, coastal and marine environments across Great Britain. It is presented in an interactive map which can be explored using various mapping tools that are included.

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Maps from the Consumer Data Research Centre - see us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cdrcuk

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Travel to work flows, visualised, from 2011 Census for England and Wales.

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February 19-21, 1941, marked the darkest days in Swansea's history. From as far as Cornwell and Devon you could see the city burning as it fell victim to Hitler's attempt to bomb Britain into total submission. The Germans decimated Swansea with 30,000 incendiary and 800 high explosive bombs across three relentless nights of attack.

The three-day blitz left tremendous physical damage, destroying 850 properties and 11,000 buildings. But the effects of the human toll it took were far greater. A total of 230 people were killed and an additional 409 injured during the most sustained air bombardment of World War II in Wales.

Now it has been 75 years since this attack, and the city is preparing an array of events to remember the time when the Luftwaffe attempted to bring Swansea to its knees, but failed. The Swansea Museum will show a film this Saturday documenting the events that took place over the course of those three days, alongside interviews with survivors.

The attacks wiped out old streets forever, according to museum education officer Barry Hughes who helped put the film together. It really was a colossal event in history. The heart of the town, or the "old core," was lost in that bombardment, including some iconic buildings such as St. Mary's church, the Ben Evans department store, and the Victorian market, but it is amazing to consider how the city has been revived after the attacks..

The port area and the oil refinery were located just beyond the main targets of the Luftwaffe. The German objectives had been to hinder coal exports and devastate the town, which for years had been located at the center of the metal industries.

Richard Burton was a teenager at the time of the attack, and documented the experience in his diary. He describes watching the "burning" of Swansea in utter awe from his home in nearby Port Talbot.

Much of the town center had been destroyed, but fortunately some of the older buildings survived, such as the castle, museum, and the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. The people of Swansea demonstrated resilience and fortitude, uniting to ensure the Nazi terror did not break their resistance. It is amazing how the adults during that time had the ability to make the children feel like everything would be okay.

Swansea's Grand Theatre is staging a play for its participation in commemoration of the Blitz. The play is called Swansea's Three-Night Blitz and runs from Wednesday to Saturday. The writer, Manon Eames, said the play is written from the perspective of Elsie, a Swansea shop worker, and her family. Elsie is in the midst of planning her wedding with her soldier boyfriend Tommy just prior to the start of the attacks. At a talk last month Eames shared that she was amazed by the closeness of the people to one another and the relentless "beating heart" of the town. The ordinary lives and simple details were all swept up in the enormity of the war.

St. Mary's Church was rebuilt in the 1950s and will stage a concert on Saturday. The event will feature the Morriston Orpheus Choir and the Siren Sisters performing music from the time of the war. In addition the city's 1940s museum will send three staffers in costumes to add color to the concert.

The council education department in Swansea has encouraged children to write poems about the attacks. Selected poems will be read aloud at the concert. West Glamorgan Archive Service will hold an exhibition in the Civic Centre as another commemoration of the attacks.

One of the best stories to emerge from the tragic events of Swansea is that of Elaine Kidwell. At the time, she was a 17-year-old library assistant who led a remarkable life helping save her beloved town from the Nazi siege. Many rushed to find underground shelter, but not Elaine. She remained above ground as one of the youngest air-raid wardens in Britain. Just a few years ago she published a memoir describing her work during the Blitz.

Kidwell described the three-day bombardment as horrendous. It was three nights of rescuing people, getting them to shelters, and administering aid. When she went into the shelters, she was the people's only link to the outside; she knew she had to remain smiling.

She describes one man who was found screaming on the top floor of his home after it was directly hit. The smoke had cleared and he was clearly terrified. They asked him where the last place was that he had seen his wife, and he pointed to a giant pile of rubble. Kidwell stood with him until the rescue squad arrived. Miraculously, it turned out his wife was underneath a solid Welsh table completely unharmed. For Kidwell, that was a particular moment of relief during a time when moments like that were hard to come by.

The history of the raids of bombing has many other inspiring stories.

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Remembering the Swansea Blitz That Destroyed 11,000 Buildings And Left 230 People Dead

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February 19-21, 1941, marked the darkest days in Swansea's history. From as far as Cornwell and Devon you could see the city burning as it fell victim to Hitler's attempt to bomb Britain into total submission. The Germans decimated Swansea with 30,000 incendiary and 800 high explosive bombs across three relentless nights of attack.

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Swansea Market is an award winning market and the largest indoor market in Wales. It maintains a century old tradition of market trading in the heart of the city and offers tourists and local residents alike a unique shopping experience, 6 days a week.

With over 100 stalls boasting a wide selection of fresh, local produce and traditional Welsh fayre, you'll also find specialist butchers and fishmongers, many of whom have been serving the people of Swansea for generations.

You'll also discover stalls selling personalised gifts, beautiful jewellery and accessories, cosmetics, leather goods, special occasion children's wear and lots more. Plus you can recharge your batteries at one of our cafés and coffee shops.

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Swansea Market is an award winning market and the largest indoor market in Wales. It maintains a century old tradition of market trading in the heart of the city and offers tourists and local residents alike a unique shopping experience, 6 days a week.

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Founded in 1920, Swansea University is a research-led institution with an excellent reputation for the quality of its student experience.

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Homepage | Official Website of the Swans - Swansea City AFC latest news, photos and videos

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Gwefan Swyddogol Clwb Pêl-droed Dinas Abertawe

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The countdown is on for the most exciting live music event of the Summer, as BBC Music and Radio 1 join forces to bring two days of spectacular performances to Singleton Park.

We can now reveal the latest star names who'll be joining us in Swansea.

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BBC Music - Biggest Weekend - The Biggest Weekend: Swansea

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The countdown is on for the most exciting live music event of the Summer, as BBC Music and Radio 1 join forces to bring two days of spectacular performances to Singleton Park. We can now reveal the latest star names who'll be joining us in Swansea.

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Heavy drinking in the city centre is being blamed for high levels of violent and sexual offences on a Swansea street.

From January to June this year, there were 29 recorded incidents of violent and sexual offences in Somerset Place, Swansea, according to open data from police.uk.

The street is situated at the bottom of Wind Street, the city's main thoroughfare for bars and clubs, and has the highest number of recorded violent and sexual offences in the Castle ward, which covers the city centre.

Residents said the atmosphere of the street had changed in recent years, as greater numbers of clubs in Wind Street brought with them more foot traffic in the evenings.

Colin Mann has lived in a block of flats in Somerset Place with his wife for about 30 years.

"I think it's coming nearer to this area because there are so many coming through," the 79-year-old said.

"We don't get any problem with the students because they are all quite pleasant, but there are a lot of down and outs sleeping rough here and it can be intimidating.

"I see women walking down the street on their own and I think: 'I wouldn't like a daughter of mine walking down like that'. It's not safe like it used to be."

There were 24 recorded incidents of violent and sexual offences in Wind Street, 20 in St Helen's Road, 16 in Oxford Street and 16 in College Street between January and June 2017.

Although there were 27 incidents recorded in Mount Pleasant Drive, this data may be anomalous as it is the location of Swansea Central Police Station where many people are charged with offences.

Swansea Council member for the Castle ward, Sybil Crouch, said: "I think we all know police resources are incredibly stretched and they have a wide area to cover.

Interactive map showing locations of violent crime and sexual assault in Swansea

"I wouldn't want to cast any criticism on the police because they are having to respond to a situation they haven't made and the outcome of that.

"Businesses are making money and lots of profit out of people consuming large amounts of alcohol and I don't see why we should expect the police to constantly deal with the consequences of that."

In June this year Swansea was awarded Purple Flag status , the gold standard for city centres that want to sell themselves as a safe place to go out.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "Swansea is a very safe place to live, work and visit. Generally, people should not live in fear of becoming a victim of crime. As always, there are simple things that people can do to make themselves and their property even safer.

"Nevertheless, violent crime does occur in Swansea as it does in every other city, and alcohol is often the root cause of the problem.

"Tackling violent crime is a key priority for South Wales Police and a lot of work continues to be done to develop a more effective approach to licensing and managing the city centre's late night economy which accounts for the majority of incidents."

The full list:

The number next to the street name indicates if there has been more than one crime recorded

Alexandra Road - 9

Argyle Street - 2

Baptist Well Street - 1

Beach Street - 1

Belle Vue Way - 1

Bond Street - 1

Burrows Road - 1

Bryn-Sifi Terrace - 1

Brynymor Road - 3

Caer Street - 15

Cambrian Place - 1

Carlton Terrace - 2

Carmarthen Road - 1

Castle Street - 8

Clifton Hill - 6

Colbourne Terrace - 2

College Street - 16

Croft Street - 1

De-la-Beche Street - 2

Dillwyn Street - 7

Dunvant Place - 1

Dyfatty Street - 1

East Burrows Road - 1

Evans Terrace - 1

Fisherman's Way - 1

Furnace Way - 1

Gloucester Place - 2

Graig Place - 1

Green Dragon Lane - 10

Griffith John Street - 13

Grove Place - 7

Hanover Street - 4

Harries Street - 2

Harrington Place - 1

Harrington Street - 1

Heathfield - 2

Henrietta Street - 1

Highmoor - 1

Humphrey Street - 5

John Street - NOT ON MAP

Joseph Davies's Close - 1

King's Lane - 2

Little Gam Street - 1

Llys Jernegan - 1

Mainwaring Terrace - 3

Mansel Street - 2

Matthew Street - 16

Millwood Court - 1

Mount Pleasant - 1

Mount Pleasant Drive - 27

Mumbles Road - 5

New Cut Road - 1

New Street - 4

Northampton Lane - 1

Oaklands Terrace - 1

Orchard Street - 13

Oxford Street - 16

Oystermouth Road - 4

Page Street - 3

Park Street - 1

Paxton Drive - 7

Paxton Street - 1

Peter Street - 1

Peter Terrace - 2

Phillips Parade - 1

Picton Lane - 1

Picton Terrace - 1

Pleasant View Terrace - 1

Plymouth Street - 5

Pont-y-Glasdwr - 4

Portia Terrace - 2

Portland Street - 3

Primrose Street - 1

Prince of Wales Road - 2

The Promenade - 1

Quarry Street - 8

Rhondda Street - 1

Richardson Road - 2

Rodney Street - 1

Russell Street - 5

Salubrious Place - 10

Short Street - 1

Skinner Street - 2

Somerset Place - 29

Spring Terrace - 1

St Catherine's Court - 1

St Christopher's Court - 2

St David's Place - 2

St Helen's Road - 20

St Margaret's Court - 3

St Stephen's Court - 1

The Strand - 2

Stryd Fawr - 2

Stryd Rhydychen - 4

Terrace Road - 1

Thomas Row - 1

Tontine Street - 3

Union Street - 3

Verandah Street - 5

Victoria Avenue - 10

Vincent Street - 1

Walter Road - 4

Waun Wen Road - 2

Western Street - 1

Wheatfield Terrace - 1

Willows Place - 3

Wilks Row - 1

Wind Street - 24

Wyndham Street - 3

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The Swansea streets with the most violent and sexual crimes

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Heavy drinking in the city centre is being blamed for high levels of violent and sexual offences on a Swansea street. From January to June this year, there were 29 recorded incidents of violent and sexual offences in Somerset Place, Swansea, according to open data from police.uk.

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Over 18s only

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VICE befriends a gang of young addicts caught up in South Wales' largely ignored heroin epidemic. The intimate look into their lives shows how economic...

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Both Port Talbot and Swansea are among the top ten areas with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in England and Wales.

Overall there were 3,744 drug poisoning deaths involving both legal and illegal drugs registered in England and Wales in 2016- the highest number since records began in 1993.

The mortality rate from drug misuse in Wales rose from 58.3 deaths per million in 2015, to 66.9 in 2016.

In line with previous years, most of the drug related deaths registered were men.

The figures from the Office of National Statistics show Port Talbot had a death rate of 11.6 with 46 deaths between 2014-16.

Meanwhile, Swansea had a drug-death rate of 9.7 and 67 deaths.

The rise appears to be partly due to an increase in fatalities involving cocaine.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show there were 371 deaths involving cocaine - a rise of 16% on 2015 - despite usage of the drug remaining relatively steady.

Estimates based on the Crime Survey for England and Wales indicate that the proportion of adults aged 16 to 59 using cocaine in powder form has remained broadly steady at just over 2%.

Statisticians suggested the increased number of deaths could be due to greater purity of the drug.

The ONS report said: "The National Crime Agency reports that there was a significant increase in both crack and powder cocaine purity at all levels in 2016, including user-level, which may partly explain the increase in deaths relating to cocaine."

Cocaine-related mortality rates have been increasing year-on-year, reaching a record high of 6.4 deaths per one million population.
The 10 local authorities with the highest mortality rate in 2014-16 from drug misuse:

1. Blackpool: 20.1

2. Neath Port Talbot: 11.6

3. Burnley: 11.3

4. Middlesbrough: 11.0

5. Hartlepool: 10.1

6. Gosport : 10.0

7. Barrow-in-Furness: 9.9

= Torridge: 9.9

9. Hastings: 9.8

10. Swansea: 9.7

Local authorities in Wales in order of drug death rate:

Port Talbot 11.6

Swansea 9.7

Rhondda Cynon Taf 8.5

Merthyr Tydfil 7.6

Vale of Glamorgan 6.9

Ceredigion 6.5

Blaenau Gwent 5.7

Cardiff 5.7

Conwy 5.5

Torfaen 5.1

Carmarthenshire 5.0

Isle of Anglesey 4.4

Bridgend 3.9

Powys 3.7

Gwynedd 3.5

Pembrokeshire 3.5

Denbighshire 3.4

Flintshire 3.4

Newport 3.2

Monmouthshire 3.1

Wrexham 3.0

Caerphilly 2.7

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swansea and port talbot make top 10 list for drug deaths

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Swansea and Port Talbot make top 10 list for drug deaths

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Both Port Talbot and Swansea are among the top ten areas with the highest rate of drug-related deaths in England and Wales. Overall there were 3,744 drug poisoning deaths involving both legal and illegal drugs registered in England and Wales in 2016- the highest number since records began in 1993.

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A WELSH council estate which comes up as a "rough area" in Google search has hit back - saying it's a "marvellous" area where people take pride in their homes.

Townhill in Swansea is plagued by a reputation of being a "no-go" area for newcomers to the city, with Google even auto-completing people's searches to suggest "rough area".

It's one of the most deprived wards in Wales, despite £14million of EU funding supposedly having been ploughed into Townhill.

But statistics show the crime rate is actually relatively low, and a third of all offences reported in 2016 were anti-social behaviour.

Terry Grey, who runs the Gwent Amateur Boxing Club, is 71 and has lived in Townhill his whole life.

He told the Sun Online: "It's marvellous.

"All areas have got some problems or people that can't abide by the rules.

"It's no worse here than any where else.

"I've lived here all my life.

"There was a problem with joyriders one time but they seem to have all been locked away."

And Selina Coulter - the area's oldest resident at 99 - has lived in Townhill for 63 years after moving from Scotland.

She told the South Wales Evening Post she dismissed negative opinions of the area.

She said: "It's up to you what you think of it. But I've always been happy here. Always."

"As far as I'm concerned I've always liked it since I moved up here."

Another former resident said she believed people have "preconceptions" about council estates.

She told the Sun Online: "In the whole time we lived there - which was almost 20 years - I can remember the police coming to our road twice.

"People were always chatty if you went to the local shops or on the bus.

"My mum was a supply teacher at Townhill School so the kids would always recognise her and wave.

"It just felt like a close knit community who looked out for each other.

"For me, when I think of Townhill, I think about the amazing view those who live there get to have of Swansea Bay, because you're so high up.

"On a clear day you can see Devon."

According to ukcrimestats.com, there were 936 reported crimes between January 2016 and December 2016, of which 289 were anti-social behaviour.

Despite being close to the city centre, the area is at the top of the infamously-steep Constitution Hill - making it somewhat isolated.

The centre has seen huge regeneration, with the building of the Liberty Stadium and the revitalisation of the harbour with trendy bars and restaurants.

Craig Lawton, who ran as Tory candidate in last year's Welsh elections, said: "I don't really know why it's got the reputation it has, and if you actually go there you find the people are hard-working, friendly, down to earth.

"It's one of the places where people have the most pride in their houses.

"Everyone assumes everybody is on benefits or in council houses, it's really not the case.

"There are lots of places in Swansea that have similar demographic.

"I came in 2006 to come to uni and it's spoken of as being somewhere you shouldn't go.

"It's probably go the best views of the bay."

Despite having huge signs at its entrance advertising its EU funding, Lawton suggests those living on the estate haven't seen the benefit, leading many to support Brexit.

The 29-year-old said: "There are big EU signs, but it's hard to see where the money has been spent.

"Residents see a big sign saying they had EU funding, but they might feel it hasn't been directed on something that's helping them."

On social media, people had clearly very mixed views.

Jordan Rose wrote: "It's horrible poverty disgusting place to live in."

And Nicolle Louise Richards said: "Worse place in the world I would never lived there again if you paid me."

But Neal Dempster said: "I love the area and love the community spirit we have and I live there now."

And Dai Ellis wrote: "I've seen some and lived through mad mad crazy things growing up ... made me the person I am today!

"I'll always be a proud Townhill boy born and bred."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368

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Life on Welsh council estate that Google warns is a 'rough area' every time you type its name - and it may surprise you

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A WELSH council estate which comes up as a "rough area" in Google search has hit back - saying it's a "marvellous" area where people take pride in their homes. Townhill in Swansea is plagued by a reputation of being a "no-go" area for newcomers to the city, with Google even auto-completing people's searches to suggest "rough area".

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Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) 2014

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In the early 18th century, the industries established during the reign of Elizabeth I experienced a new vigour in Wales. Iron making in Pontypool and Bersham, lead and silver mining in Flintshire and Cardiganshire, copper smelting in Neath and Swansea and coalmining in west Glamorgan and Flintshire increased substantially.

Nevertheless, they remained marginal in comparison with the agricultural economy. That economy was also developing, with the adoption of crop rotation, the use of lime, the enclosure of waste land and the development of proto-industrial production, especially in the woollen industry.
The industrial take-off
The take-off into self-sustained growth occurred in the second half of the 18th century. Yet development should not be predated. The counties of Wales were divided into hundreds; there were 88 in all and, as late as 1811, 79 of them had a majority of inhabitants still directly dependent upon the soil for their livelihood.

By 1851, however, two thirds of the families of Wales were supported by activities other than agriculture, which meant that, after the English, the Welsh were the world's second industrial nation.

The growth in heavy industry was fuelled by the wars - the Seven Years' War (1756-63), the American War of Independence (1775-83) and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793-1802, 1803-15).

It was north-east Wales which developed the greatest range of industries. By the late 18th century there were 19 metalworks at Holywell and 14 potteries at Buckley; Holywell and Mold had cotton mills; lead and coal mines proliferated. Bersham, where the Wilkinson family were pioneers in the use of coke rather than charcoal in the smelting of iron, was one of Europe's leading ironworks.

In the long term, however, the developments in the south east were more important. The ironworks of Merthyr Tydfil - Cyfarthfa and Dowlais in particular - gave rise to Wales's first industrial town. By 1830 Monmouthshire and east Glamorgan were producing half the iron exported by Britain.

Economic development was also significant in the Llanelli-Swansea-Neath area, in Amlwch with its vast copper mine, in Snowdonia where slate quarrying overtook copper mining, and in parts of central Wales where factory methods were replacing domestic production in the woollen industry.
The character of the industrial revolution in Wales
Industry in Wales was concerned with the creation of capital rather than consumer goods. The iron-making centres produced iron rather than things made of iron; the metallurgical crafts which were so important to the prosperity of Sheffield and Birmingham struck few roots in Wales.

Methods were innovative: Cort's puddling process, invented in 1784, vastly sped up the rate of iron production and was so widely adopted in Wales that it become known as the Welsh method. In copper making, the Welsh process was acclaimed as one of the finest examples of skilled metallurgical art.

The factory system of the cotton industry was often considered to be the central feature of the industrial revolution, but the development of a new form of energy through the steam engine was perhaps the more significant. In this development Wales had a central role. Bersham produced most of the cylinders used in Watt's engines; the ironworks of Merthyr Tydfil rapidly adopted the new invention; the first experiment in locomotion was made in Wales and the country contributed enormously to the supply of fuel for steam engines.

Because of its reliance on coal, steam power had an impact upon the location of industry. In the late 18th century there was a degree of industrial liveliness to be found in almost all parts of Wales. By the mid 19th century it had become apparent that it was more economical to concentrate industrial activity in coalfields where engines could readily be supplied with fuel. Thus, while industries grew prodigiously in some regions of Wales, other areas experienced an industrial revolution which ultimately failed.
The impact of transport development
Many of Wales' industrial growth regions were difficult to access. The most favoured area was the north east. Served by the ports of the Dee estuary, and close to vibrant Lancashire, it was the first region of Wales to be integrated into the general system of turnpike roads.

The mountainous coalfield of the south presented greater problems. Initially Merthyr Tydfil was linked to Cardiff by packhorses carrying pig iron in paniers. A connecting road was built in 1767 but the great innovation was the waterway.

By 1800 all the main valleys of the southern coalfield were linked to ports via canals. The ports proved inadequate. The Marquess of Bute's initiative in securing a large masonry dock at Cardiff in 1839 was crucial to the subsequent development of the town. In 1841 the dock was linked to Merthyr by the Taff Vale Railway, making it possible for Cardiff to be a major exporter of coal as well as iron. The early railway age provided a huge boost to the Welsh economy, both rural and industrial.
The nature of early Welsh industrial society
The southern coalfield was the only upland coalfield in Britain. Elsewhere in Wales - in the hills of Flintshire and the mountains of Snowdonia - industry also developed in high altitude areas which had previously been thinly populated. Welsh industrial communities rarely had ancient civic roots, and the shape of the settlements was determined by the contours of the surrounding mountains. They were very much frontier societies, reliant for their growth on immigration.

At least until the later 19th century, the bulk of the immigrants came from rural Wales, giving rise to a largely Welsh-speaking urban proletariat. A high proportion of the immigrants consisted of footloose young men.

This was one of the factors which caused early Welsh industrial communities to be of a highly inflammatory nature. The southern coalfield was disturbed by the Scotch Cattle unrest of the 1820s, the Merthyr Rising of 1831 and the Chartist upheavals of 1839. Such communities presented life threatening risks, with the lethal danger of the mines and furnaces, and the epidemics which threatened the lives of infants.

Nevertheless, such were the deprivations of rural life that the industrial areas attracted a constant stream of migrants from the countryside. Between 1801 and 1841, Monmouthshire ranked first in the list of the most rapidly growing of the counties of Britain, and Glamorgan ranking third.

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In the early 18th century, the industries established during the reign of Elizabeth I experienced a new vigour in Wales. Iron making in Pontypool and Bersham, lead and silver mining in Flintshire and Cardiganshire, copper smelting in Neath and Swansea and coalmining in west Glamorgan and Flintshire increased substantially.

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You are here: Home / Swansea - a brief history

The area around Swansea has been occupied for many thousands of years, with the oldest known human remains being the Red Lady of Paviland which have been dated from 22,000 BC.

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You are here: Home / Swansea - a brief history The area around Swansea has been occupied for many thousands of years, with the oldest known human remains being the Red Lady of Paviland which have been dated from 22,000 BC.

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The 10 Best Things to Do in Swansea - 2018 (with Photos) | TripAdvisor - Must See Attractions in Swansea, Swansea County

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Things to Do in Swansea, Wales: See TripAdvisor's 15,175 traveller reviews and photos of Swansea tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. We have reviews of the best places to see in Swansea. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

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Swansea, on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, is a great family friendly holiday destination. With miles of beaches covered in golden sands, medieval castles, craft shops, rolling hills and world-class museums, there is plenty to do in the area. The city itself is great for kids as the centre is small enough that it is easy to walk around, and quite pedestrian friendly. There is so much to do in the area - from exploring the fishing village of Mumbles, to visiting museums such as the National Waterfront Museum (a look at the Industrial Revolution) and the Dylan Thomas Centre. TV fans can have fun spotting filming locations for series such as Doctor Who (Swansea doubled for Victorian Cardiff in 2005 episode The Unquiet Dead). For the more outdoors types, as well as exploring the coastline and countryside on foot, there are also several companies offering boat trips around the coast. The Gower Peninsula was one of the first areas to be designated as a site of outstanding natural beauty in the UK, and as such its woodlands and valleys are well worth exploring, and the area is also home to several parks and nature reserves, including Swansea Vale Nature Reserve - an exciting scarce wetland area which comes complete with bike trails and board walks. Sports fans might not often be excited to see Championship team Swansea City AFC play football at the Liberty Stadium, but Glamorgan County Cricket Club play at St Helen's Stadium. Keen shoppers can also head straight to The Quadrant Centre and Oxford Street for a mixture of chain stores and more independent outlets. Swansea Market, which lies between the two areas, is also the largest market in Wales.

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Swansea 2018: Best of Swansea, Wales Tourism - TripAdvisor

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Swansea, on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales, is a great family friendly holiday destination. With miles of beaches covered in golden sands, medieval castles, craft shops, rolling hills and world-class museums, there is plenty to do in the area.

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Swansea 2021 - 2021 UK City of Culture Bid

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A head teachers' group has warned that standards will slip in Swansea's schools due to what it claims is a shortage of funding.

The group, called the Schools Budget Forum, said it did not believe that the public was more interested in refuse collections and street lights than education.

Council chiefs plan to pump an extra £3.5 million into schools in 2018-19 and have again insisted that education is their top priority, but the Schools Budget Forum said head teachers needed more than £4 million just to stand still.

Much of the £3.5 million increase for the coming year will fund staff pay awards agreed at a national level.

Swansea councillors will set a budget on March 1 and need to make allowances for a predicted £28 million shortfall.

Two girls found unconscious and flown to hospital after late night search in Gower

The Schools Budget Forum letter to council leader Rob Stewart accepted that the Labour leader was in "an invidious position", and that schools in the county were generally doing very well.

But the letter said the forum believed "that with diminishing real terms financial resources, the current excellent performance of schools is unsustainable in the short and long-term future".

It added: "Many schools have been projected to have a deficit budget in 2018/19 and anticipate severe financial difficulty.

"Schools are already cutting back on staff and in turn, creative learning programmes, this can only impact negatively on the excellent work being done and the standards achieved.

"As a forum we do not accept the majority of constituents are more interested in refuse collections and street lights staying on.

"We feel that constituents want the younger members of their family to prosper and achieve success through apprenticeships and qualifications that cannot be taken away from them, but will be their passports for success in their lives."

The letter said urban councils like Swansea fared worse compared to rural ones when education funding was allocated at Welsh Government level, with Swansea ranked 18 out of 22 on pound per pupil spending.

Earlier this month the Vale of Glamorgan's council leader and a leading head teacher urged parents to email Cabinet Secretary for Education, Kirsty Williams, to express their frustration at this funding arrangement.

Council leader John Thomas said: "It simply beggars belief that the funding of possibly the most important area of our work is determined by data that is almost 30 years old."

The Welsh Government said it was prioritising education in the face of "years of austerity from the UK Government" and that no council faced a reduction of more than 0.5% in its core funding next year.

Warnings about the challenges facing schools in Swansea have been made before.

In 2015 Jeff Bowen, chairman of the Swansea Association of Governing Bodies, said schools were having to get rid of classroom assistants or ask them to carry out teaching roles so teachers had more time to prepare lessons.

"We know that budgets are going to reduce again," he said at the time. "We are cut to the bone as it is."

Earlier this month the council secured Welsh Government funding for the teaching of Swansea pupils whose first language is not English.

Mr Stewart had argued that the money had not been made available for 2018-19, prompting a series of discussions with Cardiff Bay education officials.

Asked to comment on the Schools Budget Forum letter, a spokesman for Swansea Council, said: "Despite having to save £28 million across all council departments next year and not receiving any extra money for education from central Government, we will be providing schools with an additional £3.5 million.

"It is good to see that the School Budget Forum recognises our commitment to lobbying ministers in Wales and at Westminster for fair funding for our schools and notes we are in an 'invidious position' when setting our budget due to ongoing austerity."

Money from the capital rather than revenue budget is also being earmarked for a programme of school building upgrades.

The spokesman said: "We are also planning to spend almost £150 million on improving school buildings and facilities over the coming (five) years on top of £70 million we have invested recently.

"If the proposed budget is approved by full council on March 1, then the planned (4.9%) increase in council tax for the coming financial year will raise an additional £4.9 million, and every single penny of this will go to education and social services."

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Standards will drop in city schools, claim head teachers

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A head teachers' group has warned that standards will slip in Swansea's schools due to what it claims is a shortage of funding. The group, called the Schools Budget Forum, said it did not believe that the public was more interested in refuse collections and street lights than education.

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Wales is home to three of the UK's 10 best beaches - and Rhossili Bay in Gower is officially the top Welsh beach in 2018.

The beautiful sandy beach - which was last year named the best in Europe in another poll - has been given the latest accolade by the travellers themselves.

For it takes third place in the UK top 10 of the Travellers' Choice Awards for Beaches - announced today by TripAdvisor.

Topped by Bournemouth Beach in Dorset, the list also features two other Welsh beaches - the nearby Three Cliffs Bay in Gower (at number 8) and Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, which is at number 10.

The largest expanse of white sand on the Gower Peninsula, Rhossili Bay stretches for three miles and it is this vast stretch of sand and towering cliffs which make it popular with surfers, paragliders and ramblers alike.

"People have been sharing their love of Gower for years and now they are doing it online and, importantly, globally," said Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea's Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects.

"It's fantastic that such a relatively short stretch of coastline has collected two accolades in 2018, Wales' Year of the Sea.

"The awards will give our destination even wider recognition on a global platform used by millions of travellers. It also reinforces how lucky we are to have such world-class beaches on our doorstep here in Swansea Bay."

Hayley Coleman for TripAdvisor said: "Year after year UK beaches continue to beat many others located in exotic destinations around the globe, proving that it's not just good weather that makes a cracking beach.

"Even with the lack of hot weather that the UK is known for, our beaches still stand up as some of the best rated in the world - and all right on our doorstep."

In the world ranking, Grace Bay in Providenciales, the main island of Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean, takes the title of world's best beach. Seven miles in length, this beach has all the marks of a world class beach - turquoise water, powdery snow-white sand and glorious sunshine year-round.

And in Europe, La Concha Beach in San Sebastian comes out top. Located in the centre of the city, it boasts 1,500 metres of white sand.

Top 10 beaches in the UK
10. Barafundle Beach, Stackpole, Wales
Travellers' Choice Beaches award-winners were based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.

For the complete 2018 Travellers' Choice Beaches Awards winners visit http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravellersChoice-Beaches

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Three Welsh beaches named among the Top 10 in Britain

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Wales is home to three of the UK's 10 best beaches - and Rhossili Bay in Gower is officially the top Welsh beach in 2018. The beautiful sandy beach - which was last year named the best in Europe in another poll - has been given the latest accolade by the travellers themselves.

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Still under talks......

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The Welsh Government has thrown a lifeline to the beleaguered Swansea Bay tidal lagoon with an offer to put money into the scheme.

The First Minister's office this morning published a letter from Carwyn Jones to the Prime Minister Theresa May in which Mr Jones made the offer to cover some of the capital cost of the project.

WalesOnline understands that a figure between £100m and £250m has been pledged by the Welsh Government.

Political leaders in Cardiff Bay hope that such an investment could help reduce the cost of the subsidy required by the project, the main stumbling block to its going ahead.

If the investment is as high as suggested, it could reduce the project's borrowing costs by as much as a quarter.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, dated December 6, Mr Jones pointed out the level of support among political parties and the wider community for the £1.3bn tidal energy scheme.

But he added that, with no decision having been taken nearly a year after the Hendry review, "There is a growing risk now that the continuing lack of a decision will turn, by default, into a decision not to proceed."

Mr Jones said: "The key to enabling the Swansea Bay project to proceed lies, of course, with the UK Government agreeing an appropriate contract for difference arrangement. However, I want to make clear that I am prepared to consider a substantial equity and/or loan investment by the Welsh Government if that would enable the project to move forward. This investment could help to reduce the cost of capital for the project and hence reduce the subsidy requirement over the lifetime of any contract for difference."

He added: "Any investment by the Welsh Government would, of course, be conditional on the UK Government agreeing to an appropriate contract for difference arrangement and the project securing any necessary licenses and consents."

Speaking this morning Mr Jones said: "This would be the world's first tidal lagoon power plant, which would create thousands of high quality jobs, open the prospect of meeting a significant proportion of the UK's energy needs from the tides and position Britain as a world leader in a new global industry.

"And, yet, the UK Government has been dragging its heels for over a year. This is leading to a growing sense of frustration among the Welsh business community and an increasing risk that the lack of a decision will turn into a decision not to proceed.

"Now is the time for the UK Government to stop stalling and get on with agreeing a strike price so we can make this transformative project a reality."

Mark Shorrock, CEO at developer Tidal Lagoon (Swansea Bay), added: "This is the breakthrough our project has needed. We thank the First Minister and his team for their leadership.

"We look forward to working alongside the Welsh Government to now close the deal for Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon with the UK Government."

Tidal Lagoon Power has been locked in talks with officials for more than two years over the level of subsidy needed to make the lagoon financially viable. The developer has requested a 90-year contract for difference (CfD) with an average strike price of £89.90/MWh (per megawatt hour).

Although this would start at £123/MWh in the first year, after 20 years it would drop to below the figure for the new nuclear power station at Hinckley Point - and at the end of the 90-year period it would be just £43/MWh.

But an investment on the scale suggested could entirely change the terms of the subsidy. Instead of running for 90 years, for example, it could potentially run for just 35 years - and be at a price comparable to Hinckley Point from the start.

That could make the case for backing the lagoon almost impossible to answer.

In the most recent CfD auction round last autumn offshore wind farms in England and Scotland won subsidies of £57/MWh.

Critics of the lagoon argue that these figures prove the lagoon is too expensive, but supporters argue that, on the contrary, it demonstrates why it should go ahead. Earlier offshore wind farms required strike prices of £150/MWh, but competition and developments in the technology have seen the costs more than halve.

The company maintains that larger follow-up lagoons at Cardiff, Newport, Bridgwater Bay, Colwyn Bay and Cumbria will see subsidy prices come down to the sort of figures now being seen for offshore wind farms.

But energy expert Matthew Rooney, writing on the Business Green website recently, argued that cost reductions might be less than predicted because each lagoon had to be considered as a standalone infrastructure project and earlier projections did not take into account possible budget overruns.

A UK Government spokesperson said: "We want to ensure that the UK has a diverse, secure and affordable energy mix but it must provide value for consumers.

"That's why we are looking carefully at the potential to harness the UK's natural resources to make our energy mix cleaner, more sustainable, and value for money for all UK taxpayers and consumers."

How politicians reacted to the announcement:

Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi said: "The letter from the first minister is a positive step in the right direction, it puts pressure on the UK Government to make a decision on the future of the Tidal Lagoon.

"It's getting very tiresome in Westminster waiting for some good news on future investment in Wales.

"The opportunities and investment that the UKs first Tidal Lagoon will bring to Swansea and to Gower is immeasurable.

"The future of Renewable energy in Wales gives hope for future generations. (Unlike a 25 year gas powered power station!)"

Mike Hedges, AM for Swansea East, said: "Very pleased that the Welsh Government is giving financial support and I hope that will put further pressure on Westminster to agree the scheme as it approaches the first anniversary of the Hendry review."

Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said: "This welcome announcement from the First Minister shows that support for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon in Wales is overwhelming.

"This will provide substantial investment to help construct the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, which is potentially a game changing moment for the project.

"Through this commitment, the First Minister has shown that the whole of Wales is behind this innovative, world first project, which sends another message to the UK Government to stop delaying and approve the scheme as soon as possible.

"It's time that the dithering in London stopped, with a green light needed right now for work to start on the project.

"It's unacceptable that there's still no decision from the UK Government, despite a year having passed since Charles Hendry, the UK Government's own independent inspector, concluding in a review that tidal lagoon power is a no regrets option.

"This is why I'm again calling on the Prime Minister to show leadership and act now for the benefit of Swansea and Wales.

"The tidal lagoon would create thousands of high quality jobs and generate zero carbon power for over a century for about 155,000 homes, while also leading to a global export market in Swansea because of the specialist turbines and other component parts that would be made here for other lagoons across the UK and beyond."

South Wales West AM, Suzy Davies, said: "With many of the benefits of this project falling within devolved competence, it is only right that the Welsh Government should contribute to the costs.

"However, it is far from clear how much the First Minister is willing to stake to get the lagoon over the line, and until we know the details we can't be sure that this proposal is game-changing.

"There is huge excitement around the prospect of a tidal lagoon in Swansea, and it is absolutely vital that the project is given the go-ahead.

"The independent review described the tidal lagoon as a 'no-brainer' and we need a final decision sooner rather than later."

Shadow Environment Secretary, David Melding, said: "The First Minister's offer is welcome and provides the timely support needed to take this project over the line.

"Tidal energy holds huge promise to be the most reliable and resilient source of green energy available, and we remain steadfast in our support for this project.

"We must not miss this opportunity to ensure that Wales leads the way in the generation of non-carbon renewable energy.

"Rejection would mean missed opportunities for the whole Welsh economy in terms of jobs, manufacturing, and Research & Development."

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs Simon Thomas said: "Plaid Cymru welcomes this move from the Welsh Government. We called on the Labour Government to take an equity stake last year in the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon project as a way of moving the scheme forward.

"Let us be clear if we had power over this type of project rather than Westminster the Welsh Government could have given the green light already."

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Welsh Government offers to invest in Swansea Bay tidal lagoon

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The Welsh Government has thrown a lifeline to the beleaguered Swansea Bay tidal lagoon with an offer to put money into the scheme. The First Minister's office this morning published a letter from Carwyn Jones to the Prime Minister Theresa May in which Mr Jones made the offer to cover some of the capital cost of the project.

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These are the £6 billion projects that leaders in Swansea hope will transform the city for decades to come.

There is clearly huge ambition for Wales's second city, although the fate of some schemes will be determined by the UK Government.

Here we look at some of the key pieces of the £6 billion jigsaw, and what progress is being made.

City centre regeneration (£1 billion to £2 billion)

Swansea Council and two development partners are aiming to transform the St David's development site either side of Oystermouth Road and the Civic Centre site.

The plan is to build an indoor arena, car park and hotel on the south side of the road, and shops, restaurants, residential units and a boutique cinema on the other side.

The 3,500-seat arena would come first, and a 40ft-wide footbridge over Oystermouth Road would link the sections.

The Civic Centre site, once the unmissable building is demolished, could become home to apartment blocks, restaurants, cafes and an aquarium.

Funding for these two major projects would come from council borrowing, private investment and money from Swansea Bay City Deal.

The St David's development, also known as Swansea Central, already has outline planning permission, with a detailed application due to be submitted to the council next month.

And an arena operator, Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has been appointed to put on 200 events per year.

The creation of a new business district in The Kingsway also falls within the city centre regeneration proposals.

The focus of this new district would be new offices at the former Oceana nightclub site, which would extend south to Oxford Street, but no planning applications have been put forward as yet.

Council staff currently based at the Civic Centre could be re-deployed to new offices on the car park opposite the Grand Theatre.

The city centre plans also extend to a new student and commercial development opposite Swansea rail station, and a revamped Castle Square.

And there are proposals to accelerate the regeneration of the Tawe riverside corridor, where new homes have already sprung up.

A new whisky distillery and visitor centre is proposed at the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, and a New Zealand-based firm is looking into the idea of a gondola ride from this area to the top of Kilvey Hill, plus a hill-top restaurant, luge runs and potentially a zip wire.

University campus projects (£750 million)

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is building its £300 million SA1 Swansea Waterfront complex at the former docks. It will open next September, and include space for new businesses and recreation areas.

Swansea University has completed phase one of its Bay Campus off Fabian Way, which falls within Neath Port Talbot. Further expansion there is in the offing.

Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (£1.3 billion)

Still no sign of a UK Government decision on this privately-funded project, which also needs a marine licence before any work could start.

Conservative Ministers insist they are looking closely at the energy scheme to see if they can give it the financial guarantees it requires.

Intriguingly, Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart said in September that alternative ways were being explored to deliver the lagoon should the Government decide not to proceed.

Private investment (£750 million)

Labour leader Mr Stewart said he reckoned there was sizeable private money which could come to Swansea if the regeneration jigsaw gained momentum.

One project which is well-advanced is a £15 million refurbishment of Parc Tawe.

WalesOnline understands that the creation of a new business district in The Kingsway could kick-start a number of development schemes on the thoroughfare, and that not all of them would be student accommodation.

Meanwhile, Swansea City FC's owners are due to explore the idea of expanding the Liberty Stadium now that they have control of the venue.

Swansea Bay Metro (£1 billion to £2 billion)

Still at a very early stage, proposals have been put forward to create a Swansea Bay commuter circle line, with a new station near the Liberty Stadium at Landore.

The idea also involves a new section of rail line linking Baglan with Swansea, which would miss out Neath, thereby speeding up journey times from Cardiff, Bristol and London. This could pave the way for a new station serving the Bay Campus.

Swansea Council is to lead a feasibility study for the metro proposal, which is due to get under way early next year.

Although the UK Government has ruled out the electrification of the main line between Cardiff and Swansea, several politicians and business leaders are campaigning to resurrect the project.

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The £6 billion projects that could totally transform Swansea

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These are the £6 billion projects that leaders in Swansea hope will transform the city for decades to come. There is clearly huge ambition for Wales's second city, although the fate of some schemes will be determined by the UK Government.

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Have yourself an adventure, this is the perfect place for it. In the water or on dry land - it's up to you. Tell us about your #SwanseaBayMoments http://www.visitswanseabay.com

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Some things are best shared, like these magical moments in Swansea, Mumbles & Gower. Like what you see? Check out http://www.visitswanseabay.com for more.

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Swansea Bay is full of incredible things to discover. What's waiting for you? http://www.visitswanseabay.com

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Swansea is Wales' Waterfront City. It sits on the sandy 5 mile stretch of Swansea Bay beach and is a great base for exploring the best of South-West Wales, UK.

The City Centre is a vibrant hub with over 230 shops and a fabulous market that's home to all sorts of local delicacies.

There are loads of places to visit including the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum to name but a few. One of Swansea's museums is Wales' newest and the other is Wales' oldest - Dylan Thomas even described it as a "museum that belongs in a museum."

Sleep, Eat, Explore, Repeat

Heading outdoors? Explore some of Swansea's many parks and gardens - 5 of them (Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park, Cwmdonkin Park and Brynmill Park) have Green Flag Awards and are great places to spend time with the family; after picking up some local goodies for a picnic at Swansea Market, of course.

If you are looking for a bit of all weather activity, drop into the LC Leisure Complex with its water park, soft play area, climbing walls and fitness centre.

Get Stuck In

Swansea's a great place for foodies too. All appetites are catered for by a range of big name brands, independent eateries and boutique bistros. Planning a romantic meal or dinner with the family? Check out some of our great places to eat and drink.

You can even dine at the top of Wales' tallest building with incredible 360 degree views, which include the 5 mile sweep of Swansea Bay beach.

Explore Swansea

Our Map of Swansea is designed to help you navigate the City Centre. Whether you're headed for the beach or looking for the shops - you'll know you're headed in the right direction.
DOWNLOAD THE SWANSEA CITY MAP

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Swansea is Wales' Waterfront City. It sits on the sandy 5 mile stretch of Swansea Bay beach and is a great base for exploring the best of South-West Wales, UK. The City Centre is a vibrant hub with over 230 shops and a fabulous market that's home to all sorts of local delicacies.

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Welcome to the birthplace of Dylan Thomas - and one of the great areas that inspired him. Welcome to Swansea Bay. http://www.visitswanseabay.com