Swansea Marina is a marina located behind the Swansea barrage at the mouth of the

River Tawe The River Tawe (; cy, Afon Tawe ) is a long river in South Wales. Its headwaters flow initially east from its source below Llyn y Fan Fawr south of Moel Feity in the Black Mountains, the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National ...

in Swansea, south

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

. Swansea Marina was first awarded blue flag status in June 2005. There is a boat yard for building and servicing boats, and a few shops selling boating equipment.

History

After many years of

industrial decline Deindustrialization is a process of social and economic change caused by the removal or reduction of industrial capacity or activity in a country or region, especially of heavy industry or manufacturing industry. There are different interpre ...

in the

Lower Swansea valley The Lower Swansea valley ( cy, Cwm Tawe Isaf) is the lower half of the valley of the River Tawe in south Wales. It runs from approximately the level of Clydach down to Swansea docks, where it opens into Swansea Bay and the Bristol Channel. This ...

, the South Dock of the Swansea Docks complex finally closed in 1969 leaving the area as an industrial wasteland. It was sold to the council. Initially, a new relief road was proposed to take traffic away from the Oystermouth road. However, there was a government reorganisation in 1974 which decided on a new planning strategy. By 1975, a new planning strategy had been prepared which identified social and economic policy objectives with a new regeneration programme. It took a further 5 years for land acquisition, clearance and infrastructure installation before redevelopment could commence. New sea defence works were installed, the dock basin had to be cleared of debris and new moorings needed to be installed for the new marina. More efficient modern

lock Lock(s) may refer to: Common meanings *Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance *Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal Arts and entertainment * ''Lock ...

gates were fitted, along with a new swing bridge and the quay sides were paved to create a new public walkway around the dockside. The yacht marina was opened in 1982 providing berths for 385 boats. It was not until 1992 that the Swansea barrage was completed, transforming the River Tawe into long lake. Additional berths were constructed behind the barrage, just outside the marina proper, providing berthing for an additional 200 boats. A lock was incorporated into the barrage design to allow the passage of boats between the River Tawe system and the sea.

References

External links

Swansea MarinaAn interactive, social networking and tourism web site based on the Gower Peninsula.
{{Transport in Swansea Transport in Swansea Marinas in Wales Buildings and structures in Swansea Swansea Bay Tourist attractions in Swansea