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A Welsh rugby club has been separated from its own pitch after fences were placed on a nearby bridge.

Vardre RFC, in Clydach , normally uses a nearby bridge over the River Tawe as a shortcut from its High Street base to the pitch.

When the bridge was being regularly vandalised, the rugby club and local councillor Gordon Walker took it into their own hands to repair it.

But after it was damaged by storms at the end of last year, the owner of the bridge, Welsh Water, intervened and placed metal barriers at either end, preventing all access across it.

Since the barriers have been put in place, players now have to walk "1,000 yards instead of 300 yards" to get onto the pitch.

Mr Walker said: "For about 10 years the bridge has been vandalised and the rugby club has repaired it.

"The council got involved because no-one took ownership of it, but it is Welsh Water that owns it and after it was vandalised again last year, Welsh Water fenced it off.

"Members of the club were pulling the fencing down so they welded two secure fences either side.

"Colliers used to cross the canal to go to work back in 1850.

"Now we've got to go out of our way."

(Image: Jonathan Myers)

Mr Walker claimed that not having use of the bridge was affecting the rugby club as people were "avoiding it".

He added: "Away sides are driving here from the Morriston side [closer to the pitch than the rugby club] and then instead of spending money in our club, they're going back to their own.

"The bridge was on a pathway that led straight to the field but now instead of 300 yards walking, players have to walk 1,000 yards.

"Welsh Water told the club to look at lighting the new route but it's not feasible.

"People are avoiding the club."

(Image: Jonathan Myers) (Image: Jonathan Myers)

Wayne Griffiths, club secretary at Vardre RFC, said: "They closed the bridge down because it needs repairing and they don't want people crossing it until it's repaired.

"The team now has to walk about half a mile instead. It's inconvenient, especially when we had the dark nights as there's no lighting there.

"It is a bit frustrating.

"It is the case [that people aren't coming into the club after games] because they're not sure how to get to the club.

"The club has lost some takings but we've got to get on with it."

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A spokeswoman for Welsh Water said: "We are aware that a footbridge near one of our pipes in Clydach has been damaged by storms over the winter.

"This is not safe to use, and we have been working with Swansea Council to ensure it is securely closed.

"We have been liaising with Vardre RFC so that they are fully aware of what we are doing, and we urge people not to try and access the footbridge while it is closed and to use the alternative footbridge upstream."