Page 1 - link magazine

THE No. 160 •August 1995 • Circulation 15,000 Swindon
TSP
I L
I I
I I— \- I—
USES
2 45 - 17 Seaters

Distributed in West Swindon, Haydon Wick, Woodhall Park & Abbey Meads
The positive newsforce in West and North Swindon

Daily • Weekend • Weekly
an the swindon wide what's on guide

Safety measures could be dangerous ATIfrAc AF Au1èJlTIIIFS

A group of West Swindon Centre users claim six barriers installed across a footpath to protect
pedestrians from cyclists actually increases the danger to people on foot, particularly
children and the elderly.
The footpath on the north side of the centre
is designated a joint walkway/cycleway link-
ing Toothill and Freshbrook to Westlea.
Centre manager Julian Leggett said he had The Link Magazines guide to West
to take action after an elderly woman walking and North Swindon. Details on page 16.
on the footpath was badly injured after being
hit by a speeding cyclist. 'We have a major Burglars deterred
problem. We cannot close the route to bicy-
cles, but we must avoid another accident. by police action
Cyclists ignored the white line painted on the
footpath and the barriers are a physical pro- Burglaries in hard-hit Grange Park have
tection to people walking from the car park.' dropped dramatically following a plain-
He said the width of the barriers had been clothes surveillance operation by the police
reduced, but trolleys and buggies can still be leading to arrests and further investigations.
pushed under them whilst shoppers should The Link reported exclusively last month
walk around them. Reviewing the new barriers at the West Swindon that in the first five months of the year there
However, pedestrian, cyclist and mother Cent re,from left to right, Marie Sneddon with her had been 56 house break-ins on the 1,900
Marie Hanna from Grange Park says the sons Kenneth and Craig, Marie Hanna and Terry homes in the area, 14% of burglaries in the
scheme creates more conflicts between users. Prentice Swindon North police sub-division.
"It's very awkward to push trolleys under the Geraldine Richardson from Ramleaze At a public meeting on 12 July, publicised
barriers and walk around them. It's impossi- thought the barriers were very awkward to on the July front page, Inspector Andy Tatum
ble if you're holding a toddler's hand whilst get a trolley round. revealed that the police had cracked the prob-
pushing your shopping. Marie Sneddon from Nine Elms com- lem for the time being. There had been no
"The usable space has been greatly reduced mented. "I think the barriers area stupid idea. burglaries since 17 June.
and there is less room for those on foot to pass They put me off bringing my children to the Over 120 people attended to discuss the
cyclists. Barriers down the centre of the walk- shopping centre." situation. Inspector Tatum said he was very
way and better warning signs would be a Mr Leggett said the barriers were now per- pleased by the resident's support. "This sets
better solution." manent fixtures, but he might reduce the the scene for further meetings in other areas."
Kerry Prentice from Toothill said it was number after monitoring the situation. Continued on page 3
difficult to push a trolley under the barriers,
The Wiltshipe Festival. Win tickets for
especially if there is a child sitting in it. "I've

seen cyclists weave in and out of the barriers
to avoid trolleys being pushed in the two great music events at Lydiard Park.
cycleway." She added that many trolleys will Concert into, on pages 10 & 11 • Competitions on pages 12 & 13
not easily push in a straight line.
* Cycles
EXPRESS * Servicing
CYCLES * Repairs
* Accessories
* Parts

of a new bike this summer?

Then come and see Wiltshire's best choice of bikes & bits. From toddler's
trikes to dream machines. Don't waste your time going anywhere else.
All major credit cards accepted. Finance available on all items over £100, subject to status.
96-99 MANCHESTER ROAD SWINDON • TEL: 01793 534907