Apr 3, 20194 min read

Around the World Today Series 2 Episode 6 - As High street in Swansea been Let down by the Council?

April 2019 Around The World Today Series 2 Episode 6 By Terry D

In Series 2, Episode 6 of Around the World Today, titled Has Swansea’s High Street Been Let Down by the Council?, Terry Davies investigates the ongoing issues surrounding Swansea’s High Street, a subject of significant media coverage across the UK. The episode focuses on whether the local council has truly failed to deliver on regeneration projects and support for the struggling area, which has long battled with issues of crime, drugs, prostitution, and economic decline.

Ways To Listen

Terry begins by setting the stage with a brief history of Swansea’s High Street, once a bustling center of commerce, now often labeled as one of the UK’s most troubled high streets. Drawing on articles from Wales Online, The Mirror, The Sun, and other sources, he paints a picture of a street plagued by a multitude of social problems. From landlords forced to close down pubs due to drug-related violence to the street's reputation as a hotspot for prostitution, Terry explores how these problems have turned what was once a proud part of Swansea into a place many now avoid.

The episode delves into specific media reports, such as those covering landlords closing businesses, police raids, and allegations that the street is the site of rampant prostitution, some involving underage girls.

Terry highlights a particularly stark piece from The Mirror that branded Swansea’s High Street one of the worst in the UK, where desperate circumstances have forced some prostitutes to charge as little as £10 for sex. He also discusses the dangerous environment for residents, noting a Wales Online report of a man slashing a sex worker's throat in a violent attack.

As Terry digs deeper, he examines the local council's response to these issues. Citing Swansea Sound and council leaders’ statements, he acknowledges that regeneration plans have been in place for some time, with proposals for high-rise student flats and new shops opposite Swansea’s railway station. However, he questions whether these regeneration efforts are addressing the root causes of the high street’s decline. He presents the argument that while cosmetic changes, such as upgrading car parks or building new structures, may improve appearances, they do little to solve the deeper social issues plaguing the area.

Terry gives voice to the frustrations of business owners and residents who feel abandoned by the council. He draws attention to a wave of public outcry, particularly over the infamous “condom alley” and a car park so neglected that drivers reportedly struggled to leave due to broken doors. These stories, reported widely in the local press, reveal a community on edge, grappling with the fear of violence and a sense of powerlessness as they watch their city’s historic street deteriorate.

In concluding the episode, Terry poses the central question: has Swansea’s High Street been let down by the council, or is the issue too complex for any one institution to solve? He suggests that while the council has made promises of change, the real challenge lies in balancing long-term economic revitalization with immediate social intervention.

He challenges the council to be more proactive in addressing the root causes of crime, poverty, and addiction that have taken over the high street, emphasizing that true regeneration cannot happen without healing the community first.

This episode is a powerful critique of urban decay and the role local governments play—or fail to play—in the revitalization of struggling areas. Through his thoughtful examination of Swansea’s High Street, Terry invites listeners to consider how cities must tackle both visible and invisible challenges if they are to truly thrive.