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Social clubs fight street closure Social clubs fight street closure
(about 3 hours later)
Plans to close one of Swansea's busiest roads to traffic every night are set to be dropped after objections from social clubs with elderly members.Plans to close one of Swansea's busiest roads to traffic every night are set to be dropped after objections from social clubs with elderly members.
Police, bar owners and students had asked the council to shut Wind Street.Police, bar owners and students had asked the council to shut Wind Street.
They said it was dangerous for the thousands of revellers who drank there and an accident waiting to happen.They said it was dangerous for the thousands of revellers who drank there and an accident waiting to happen.
The Railmen and Labour clubs protested saying many members were elderly so had to be dropped off and picked up outside as they could not walk all the way.The Railmen and Labour clubs protested saying many members were elderly so had to be dropped off and picked up outside as they could not walk all the way.
Now the council's cabinet is likely to drop the idea at a meeting later this week.Now the council's cabinet is likely to drop the idea at a meeting later this week.
Traffic is already stopped from entering Wind Street between 1900 and 0600 BST on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.Traffic is already stopped from entering Wind Street between 1900 and 0600 BST on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Last year police, landlords and students warned of a serious injury or death on the road unless it was closed during the busy student night on Wednesdays.Last year police, landlords and students warned of a serious injury or death on the road unless it was closed during the busy student night on Wednesdays.
If closures are not implemented, injuries are all but inevitable Safer Swansea Partnership When the road is closed we had to go all the way to the Strand to get a taxi as they are not allowed up here Terry Stanton, with Willie Wedlake
The council's cabinet had agreed in principle to shut Wind Street to traffic every night subject to consultation.The council's cabinet had agreed in principle to shut Wind Street to traffic every night subject to consultation.
But the social clubs, together with the Merchant Navy Association, opposed the move.But the social clubs, together with the Merchant Navy Association, opposed the move.
They said dozens of their members were dependent on walking aides and wheelchairs or had sight impairments and that further road closures would restrict their social life as they were not able to walk to the clubs.They said dozens of their members were dependent on walking aides and wheelchairs or had sight impairments and that further road closures would restrict their social life as they were not able to walk to the clubs.
Terry Stanton and Willie Wedlake said they had already stopped visiting the Railmen's Club on nights Wind Street was closed to traffic.Terry Stanton and Willie Wedlake said they had already stopped visiting the Railmen's Club on nights Wind Street was closed to traffic.
"I'm 82 and Willie is 87 and we've been coming here for 59 years," said Mr Stanton."I'm 82 and Willie is 87 and we've been coming here for 59 years," said Mr Stanton.
"When the road is closed we had to go all the way to the Strand to get a taxi as they are not allowed up here.""When the road is closed we had to go all the way to the Strand to get a taxi as they are not allowed up here."
Club committee member Dai Burtonshaw added: "There were very strong objections.Club committee member Dai Burtonshaw added: "There were very strong objections.
Wind Street in Swansea city centre attracts thousands of revellersWind Street in Swansea city centre attracts thousands of revellers
"There was no way for some of our elderly members of getting here when the road is closed.""There was no way for some of our elderly members of getting here when the road is closed."
But South Wales Police has warned not closing the road has "huge implications for public safety".But South Wales Police has warned not closing the road has "huge implications for public safety".
Wednesday nights can attract almost 5,000 students and young people to the street's many bars and clubs.Wednesday nights can attract almost 5,000 students and young people to the street's many bars and clubs.
The Safer Swansea Partnership has warned that from viewing CCTV footage of the street, "near-misses" between cars and revellers were a "common occurrence".The Safer Swansea Partnership has warned that from viewing CCTV footage of the street, "near-misses" between cars and revellers were a "common occurrence".
"If closures are not implemented, injuries are all but inevitable," it warned last year."If closures are not implemented, injuries are all but inevitable," it warned last year.
But in light of the objections from the social clubs it is recommended councillors drop the plan when they meet on Thursday.But in light of the objections from the social clubs it is recommended councillors drop the plan when they meet on Thursday.