Swansea docks: Difference between revisions
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'''Swansea Docks''' is an [[Atlantic ocean|Atlantic]] shipping port in [[Swansea]], south [[Wales]]. It is located immediately south east of [[Swansea city centre]]. In the [[19th Century]], it was one of the largest shipping ports in the world, exporting industrial products from factories situated in the [[River Tawe|Tawe valley]]. Today it is just a minor port in the UK and the northern areas are undergoing re-development into an urban area. It is currently owned and operated by [[Associated British Ports]]. |
'''Swansea Docks''' is an [[Atlantic ocean|Atlantic]] shipping port in [[Swansea]], south [[Wales]]. It is located immediately south east of [[Swansea city centre]]. In the [[19th Century]], it was one of the largest shipping ports in the world, exporting industrial products from factories situated in the [[River Tawe|Tawe valley]]. Today it is just a minor port in the UK and the northern areas are undergoing re-development into an urban area. It is currently owned and operated by [[Associated British Ports]]. |
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==Construction== |
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Increases in industrial output and in trade in copper, zinc, iron and tinplate combined with the developments in shipping (whereby steamships of greater tonnage were replacing smaller sailing vessels) meant that by the late [[1800s]] Swansea's harbour was in desperate need of expansion. |
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The Swansea Harbour Trust commissioned the construction of the '''Prince of Wales Dock''', the first on the east side of the river. Opened in [[1881]] by the Prince & Princess of Wales (later [[Edward VII]] and [[Queen Alexandra]]), it was not completed until [[1882]]. An additional expansion occured in [[1898]]. The North Quay frontage was let to the [[Great Western Railway]] and the [[Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway]] company which linked the [[Rhondda]] valley coalfields directly with the docks. |
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==Regeneration== |
==Regeneration== |
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Revision as of 10:20, 13 April 2007
Swansea Docks is an Atlantic shipping port in Swansea, south Wales. It is located immediately south east of Swansea city centre. In the 19th Century, it was one of the largest shipping ports in the world, exporting industrial products from factories situated in the Tawe valley. Today it is just a minor port in the UK and the northern areas are undergoing re-development into an urban area. It is currently owned and operated by Associated British Ports.
Construction
Increases in industrial output and in trade in copper, zinc, iron and tinplate combined with the developments in shipping (whereby steamships of greater tonnage were replacing smaller sailing vessels) meant that by the late 1800s Swansea's harbour was in desperate need of expansion.
The Swansea Harbour Trust commissioned the construction of the Prince of Wales Dock, the first on the east side of the river. Opened in 1881 by the Prince & Princess of Wales (later Edward VII and Queen Alexandra), it was not completed until 1882. An additional expansion occured in 1898. The North Quay frontage was let to the Great Western Railway and the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway company which linked the Rhondda valley coalfields directly with the docks.
Regeneration
SA1 Waterfront
SA1 Swansea Waterfront is the marketing name given to the brownfield development area located in northern part of Swansea Docks. The area is located directly to the South East of the city centre. It is bordered by the Fabian Way to the North and covers the Prince of Wales Dock area and much of the Kings Dock area. As of 2006, it is one of the largest urban re-development zones in Europe.
The development will be a commercial and residential mix. The forecast ouputs are 2900 new jobs, about 2000+ new apartments and houses, 65,000 m² (700,000 sq ft) of business/offices; 29,000 m² (312,000 sq ft) of commercial leisure; 26,400 sq m (284,200 sq ft) of hotel development; 23,200 sq m (249700 sq ft) of institutional facilities; 1,015 sq m (10930 sq ft) of on shore marina facilities.
As of 2007, completed projects include:
- two Swansea Technium business innovation centres developed jointly by the Welsh Development Agency and Swansea University to encourage more high-tech companies to locate or start up in the city;
- bespoke offices for UK law firm Morgan Cole;
- the dismantling and reassembly of the Grade 11 Listed Norwegian Church;
- the Cyprium office complex leased by Admiral Insurance;
- 158 residential apartments by Bellway Homes;
- J Shed warehouse converted into commercial space including offices and restaurants; and
- the Waterfront Community Church.
Projects under construction or in the pipeline include: 165 residential apartments by Quest properties; the Ice House bistro wine bar and restaurant complex; De Vere Hotel; Dental Referral Centre; a private hospital; 91 high quality residential apartments by Howard and Palmer; a leisure quarter; plus a range of office developments and affordable housing.[1]
Norwegian Church
The Norwegian Church is a Grade II listed building originally located at Newport Docks. The building comprises of a Seaman’s Mission to the west end and a single gothic church to the east end. It was originally built as a place of worship for Norwegian sailors when they visited the UK. It was relocated to Swansea in 1910 at a site directly opposite the Sainsbury's supermarket on the River Tawe. With the redevelopment of the district, the building had to be relocated again. The building was covered in scaffolding and carefully dismantled and relocated alongside two other historic listed buildings - the Ice House and J Shed. The building is to be used as a centre for excellence for stained glass with an exhibition and workshop.
Ferry services
- Up until 2007, a regular ferry to Ringaskiddy in County Cork, Ireland departed from a terminal in the south western part of the docks. The ferry is operated by Swansea Cork Ferries. The ferry service is suspended for 2007 and the ferry company hope to resume the service in 2008.