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No. 79 October 1988
Est.1 978 Circulation 10,000
Poor service to the
To Bowl or not to Bowl disabled at superstore - claim

The question of whether a bowling alley is to be built in West West Swindon's Gateway super- "I'm not very happy. I know
Swindon has been answered. It will be built according to Michael store is being criticised by a per- that changes are taking place, but
Oldrieve, Acquisitions Manager for Bristol based Carter Commer- son with a disability, only a few the wheelchair checkout, has
cial Developments. weeks before a multi-million been out of action for weeks and
A 32 lane ten-pin Superbowl forms a major part of an ambitious pound refurbishment is com- the disabled sign has been re-
leisure park' on the Shaw Ridge site owned by Thamesdown Coun- pleted. moved.
cil, opposite the Link Centre. There will be a 10 screen multiplex Linda Beck, of Liskeard Way, "1 always ask to use the dis-
cinema, hotel, night club, restaurant and fast food outlet. Freshbrook, who is confined to a abled check-out. But I'm told
However developers with an interest in the old British Rail Engi- wheelchair, has been getting that if I ask for help, my shopping
neering site in the town centre are keen to see a bowling alley in that very frustrated with the treat- will be taken through the check-
location. They claim Swindon cannot support two such schemes. ment of people with disabilities. out, and I have to be pushed out
They have also declared that through the entrance to pick it up
they want to negotiate with the Place to meet on mobile centre on the other side.
Council and Carters to try and "I used to be able to take items
stop the West Swindon project. off the shelves. Now, a lot of the
Borough Council officers things I need are placed above
specified a range of develop- the freezer cabinets and I have to
ments that could take place on ask others for help.
the Shaw Ridge site. "I'm not impressed by the
Following agreement by the quality of the fruit and veg. ei-
Council's development sub- ther. I've taken back lots of items
committee, where a choice be- recently and people I know have
tween several submitted propos- done the same. Carrefour used
als was made, council officers to have much higher standards.
have worked closely with Carter People with cars can go else-
Commercial on modifications to where. But there are many in
the plans. West Swindon without a choice."
The site will also contain 1,000 Improvements
car parking spaces and will be ex- Gateway Manager Leslie
tensively landscaped to mini- Lloyd said he was very sympa-
mise intrusion on housing at thetic to the needs of the disabled
Eastleaze closeby. Locobus coffee and chat with the neighbours in Sparcells and was sorry for the inconven-
"The Shaw Ridge Leisure Park People in West Swindon's most used to meet in our front rooms, ience caused by the refitting.
will offer a range of integrated isolated corner are being brought but there are too many of us now "The work has been going on for
facilities of a high quality," said together on a double-decker bus. to do that. nine months and will be finished
Mr. Oldrieve. "The location is Swindon's mobile community "We've done a quick count by mid-November.
right to serve West Swindon centre - The Locobus - is visiting around and we know there are "New electronic tills have just
people, the population of Th- Sparcells, the area's northern already forty children under five. been installed, but nearly all the
amesdown and the surrounding outpost for an eight week period. We need a community hut for a old tills were permanently put
area." At present, there are about 200 playgroup very soon." out of action when the main
A Thamesdown spokesperson houses occupied. By foot it is a Nina Hawkins of Sparcells power supply blew up a few
said that the bowling alley was a two mile trek to Shaw Village Drive is concerned about the iso- weeks ago. It didn't help things.
fundamental part of the overall Centre and its three by car. lation of the area. "We're really "I'm afraid all superstores
scheme for Shaw Ridge and no Every Friday morning the bus quite cut off up here; not every- keep goods at a high level nowa-
change in the overall plans was is parked on Sparcells Drive. body has a car." days, and I am expecting the
ege
envisaged. Residents have been taking the The Friday bus group is invit- quality of the fruit and vege-
A planning application for the chance to get together over coffee ing speakers to explain what is tables tables to improve dramatically
project is expected to be put be- to discuss what the area needs. proposed for the area. These after we relaunch in November.
fore Thamesdown Council's Better bus services and a tempo- include representatives from "The fresh produce depart-
Planning Committee in Novem- rary community centre are just Thamesdown Transport, the ment has been moved three
ber. Construction work is ex- two of their requirements. Borough Councils development times. With new storage and dis-
pected to start early in 1989 with Elaine Munday of Rinsdale section and a local councillor. play equipment, we will be able
the first elements completed by Close says the Locobus has come They are keen to meet other to offer our customers the best
mid-1990. at the right time. "A few of us people living in Sparcells. possible service."