More trees set to be planted as part of arena project

Seventeen new trees – including species such as red maple, London plane, and birch – are also being planted close to the Tesco Marina store as part of the scheme in Wellington Street.

The new greenery, supported by the introduction of other plants, will be part of work on the £135m Swansea Central Phase One scheme.

It will accompany improvements to Wellington Street. These will allow improved access to the Quadrant multi-storey and Tesco car parks, and easy access to a 588-space multi-storey being built as part of Swansea Central on the former St Mary’s car park.

The improvement work starts on Wednesday and will take a number of months. Access to the Quadrant car park, Tesco and the street’s coach facility will be maintained.

Mark Thomas, the council’s cabinet member for environment improvement and infrastructure management, said the work will not only improve access to three key locations in the city centre, it will also help Swansea become a greener city.

He said: “Swansea is becoming a greener city and our regeneration projects reflect that, with hundreds of trees appearing in the Kingsway area and planned for the Swansea Central Phase one development.

“This council wants to maintain and enhance Swansea’s natural resources and biodiversity – and Wellington Street is an example of that.

The improvements to Wellington Street will see:

• New trees planted in a new central reservation at the West Way end of Wellington Street, on the site of the existing Tesco car park entrance and between the Tesco store and the Quadrant multi-storey
• Existing soft landscaped areas renewed.
• The Tesco car park entrance move around 40 metres eastwards along Wellington Street
• Wellington Street between the Tesco store and the Quadrant multi-storey become two lane and two way
• A bus stop and filter lane installed for motorists heading into the Quadrant car park

Disability parking provision will continue to be close to the store entrance.

Tesco have been fully consulted and city centre businesses are being informed of the changes.

Swansea Central Phase One will include a 3,500-capacity arena which is key to the city’s regeneration.

Other aspects of the scheme will include car parking, a landmark bridge, a coastal park, commercial units and apartments.

It will bring new jobs and act as a catalyst for further investment in the city. The arena will be run by global entertainment operator ATG.