Welsh Journals

A GREATER SWANSEA THE advent of Peace has been accompanied by a great municipal event which at last enables the ancient borough of Swansea to enter on a new and enlarged sphere of municipal enterprise and progress. For over a century Swansea has held the proud position of being the metal- lurgical centre of the world, the source of origin of many great progressive schemes of national importance, a leader in municipal enterprise, a pioneer in industry it was the first centre in the Principality of railway traction, and the prem er borough in Wales to possess electric tramways. In education, Swansea has always held a foremost position, and it was a great blow to her citizens when her claim was overlooked in the arbitration which gave the college to her rival at the eastern end of the county. So far, however, from being a discouragement, this set-back only proved an incentive in the battle of municipal progress and to the adoption of a course of action which must eventually result in even greater advantage to an industrial com- munity than an ordinary college. Thus it is that even during the stress of war-a war which few people have contributed so greatly towards in men and in material as the inhabitants of Swansea-the public men of the town have pressed forward to success two great schemes-the extension of the boundaries and the foundation of a Technical College. The scheme of more immediate importance is undoubtedly the extension of the borough boundaries-the creation of a Greater Swansea. Thanks to the energy of far-seeing Councillors, guided by the genius of its able Town Clerk, a scheme long talked-of for the realization of a great ideal has been successfully carried through, and now the borough has extended in all those directions so essential in the develop- ment of measures of public benefit. The advantages are manifold. The constant growth of population, which always accompanies the advance of commerce and industry, led first to the establishment of works on the outskirts of the original borough, then to the erection of dwellings near for the accommodation of the workpeople, and then to the necessity for the establishment of authorities for the administration of sanitary provisions, the control of education, and the discharge other public functions. As time went on and works multiplied and dwellings in- creased, it became evident that it was not for the advantage of the public that one continuous area of population should be controlled by se eral bodies with conflicting interests. Especially was this the case in regard to sanitation, for on all hands it was agreed that one great sewerage scheme with one common outfall would be the only comprehensive, adequate, and economical way of dealing with so great a public need. With respect to such other public move- ments as housing and education it was equally apparent that a unity of the whole would prove to the advantage of all. On this point there had long been but one opinion, but varied interests interposed, and for many years all efforts towards accomplishment were doomed to failure. Just before the outbreak of war, however, one more attempt was made-an attempt which certainly did not err on the By Percy Shuttlewood. side of modesty-and so ably was the case presented that, though faced by opposition of the severest character, complete success has attended the ambitious enterprise. And now we see a whole series of populous areas, north, east and west, linked up in one great community for the benefit of all, -a population nearly doubled, an area quadrupled and in extent the fifth largest in the kingdom, administered by sixty councillors. Thus it is that we have what is called the Greater Swansea. And the Greater Swansea is only on the thresh- old of a promising career. Always a centre of noble traditions, Greater Swansea is about to realize ambitions which should prove of untold benefit. There are numerous schemes of municipal enterprise ripe for development, all struggling for order of priority- municipal, educational, and social. Health, however, should necessarily have the first claim, and so it is that no time is being lost in initiating a great scheme which will perfect the sanitation of older Swansea and of all the areas that have been absorbed. This will involve an expendi- ture of quite three quarters of a million, and occupy nearly ten years in accomplishment. An interesting feature of this scheme is that the outfall will be at a point beyond the historic Mumbles Head into the true tide of the Bristol Channel, arrangements having been made for a huge storeage tank to be constructed in the rock at the back of the Head in which the sewage will be held up daily till the tide is such as to carry it right out to sea. By this means the amenities of the neighbouring sea shores will be protected, and the important oyster fishery preserved from the remotest chance of injury. Side by side with this comes a great scheme of housing by which a commencement will be made without delay of the erection of quite 3,000 workmen's dwellings. There are many already in existence but as soon as Government restrictions are removed a batch of 500 more will be erected on a commanding site at Town Hill already laid out and sewered. This site is planned upon the most approved garden city lines, with only twelve houses to the acre, ample gardens provided for all, greens and playgrounds, a public golf course, places for entertainment, and pro- visions for all the amenities of social life. Situated on a hilltop, the question of easy access is important, but this has been met by authority to construct a tramway up the hillside and right through the garden city. When this first instalment of 500 model dwellings is well in hand, other instalments will be launched and carried out in various localities where there is equal need for housing accommodation for the workers. No less important than these two essentials of health and happiness is that of education. The facilities for intermediate and secondary education are to be improved without delay, the needs of elementary education will not be neglected, and not an instant is being lost in realizing what may be described as Swansea's greatest ambition, for the moment-the establishment of a Technical College as a constituent of the University of Wales. This important