Page 4 - link magazine

,
y
4 The Link Magazine • September 2006 your f r clatF :ifieds
Proposing a vision for Swindon's future
A plan to reinvent Swindon as a leading regional centre with an international reputation for science and technology has been unveiled and
Swindon Council is seeking viewpoints.
The town has been targetted to Freshbrook and have been built so the locals alike, Swindon is becoming
accommodate another 35,0000 Grange Park council- population is already environmentallydisagreeable,and
homes by 2026, with the popula- lorPeterGreenhalgh, nearly 200,000. quality of life is suffering.Biggeris
tion rising to 250,000. Swindon Council "Little is said about not proving better.
The document is intended to cabinet member for p; infrastructure but if "I also have concerns about
promote discussion about the best Highways, Transport the roads, water sup- whether levels of deprivation, in-
ways for Swindon to respond to and Strategic Plan- plies, sewage, elec- equality, wealth, health,crimeand
the challenges of global change, ning, said, "our vi --- tricity, hospitals, doc- sustainable travel will be improved
such as climate change, an ageing Sion for Swindon is tors, dentists, police by adding 100,000 more people.
Equally I'm not sure if a uni-
population and the growth of deliberately ambi- and council facilities "
economies in India and China. tious. We already are not planned for versity campus three miles away
It sees Swindon as a focal point have a successful lo- Thin kin g of o S windon's and in place, the and the Science Museum in
for emerging growth industries in cal economy with future, Peter Greenhalgh whole idea becomes Wroughton is going to benefit the
science, technology and the envi- low unemployment suspect. town centre, other than causing
ronment. On the arts side it de- and major companies like Honda, "The document says an agree- more traffic congestion."
scribes the town as a 21st Century Nationwide and Intel. The chal- able environment and excellent • The Economic Development Vi-
cultural city, home to heritage, lenge is to take this forward by quality of life are key factors but sion for Swindon involves you.
museums, galleries, and a range of ensuring we develop and change with green space around the town Download the report from
festivals and events, to make the most of what is hap- being swallowed up by develop- www.makethe connection.co.uk
The document believes the po- pening in the rest of the world. In ment, and traffic problems already and send your comments to the
tential of Swindon's people will be doing so create links which will causing concern to businesses and council by 30 September.
vital in contributing to and ben- benefit the economy and local peo-
efiting from this economic growth plc, not just now but way into the
with opportunities to improve future." People's millions may come to museum
their skills and better-paid jobs. However Terry King, the leader The Science Museum at Wroughton is one of six visionary projects to
Major projects mentioned are: of the Front Garden Action Group, progress to the next stage of the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks:
• The regeneration of Swindon is sceptical about what is proposed. The People's Millions programme.
town centre and the attraction of "On first sight I'm concerned about The short listed projects
major commercial investment; what the document gets wrong or
• The development of the Univer- doesn't say. On population it aimed at transforming and .,.
u
regenerating their comm
sity of Bath campus at Coate; claims there are 182,200 in the g r^ r°
• The development of the Science town, but the 2001 census states pities will compete for a sin-
gle lottery grant of between
Museum at Wroughton as a major Swindon's populationwas 180,000. £25 million and £50 million, r E, q °^ 6, y
attraction. Since then over 6,000 dwellings
run m conjure ran wit' th TT V r u
with the winner to be de- An "rmpression of the proposed
cided by a televised public Science Museum development
vote in late 2007. at Wroughton
To prepare for the big
CURTAINS TO SATISFY EVERY REQUIREMENT vote each will receive £500,000 to national museums, from hoovers
be used to develop the proposal to hovercrafts, radios to rockets
a y Free estimating, design and advice through to submission of a lottery and telescopes to trams.
I • Home visits by appointment application by May 2007. The state-of-the-art building will
The Science Museum plans to improve object conservation, al-
• Make-up and fitting service build a National Collections Cen- low previously unavailable public
—Mee
tre on the 545-acre site to bring access, increase formal and infor-
eee)r a ,, together a quarter of a million ob- mal learning, and generate leisure
activities.
LI;1 jects from the stored collections of
' " '
the link Magazine

Swindon Publications Ltd. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
AND 71 Basepoint, Rivermead Call The Link on
Swindon SN5 7EX
BLINDS /v. Tel: (01793) 608840 (01793)602540
[email protected]
OF ALL KINDS Fax: (01793) 608841 October bookings by 4 September
• Wooden e: [email protected]
"The Link was first published for the West
• Venetian www.swindonlink.com Swindon community in December 1978.
It is completely independent of Link Centre
• New linen 'F Publisher/Editor: Roger Ogle
and, in fact, won a competition to name the
• Roman Editorial: Tel: (01793) 608840 leisure centre in 1984. Distribution in North
• Verticals Editorial copy date for Swindon commenced in January 1994."
• Roller October: 5 September The contents of The Link are protected'
Published: 23 September by copyright. Use of advertisements in
• New Eastern materials
Copy for November: 10 October printed or electronic form is forbidden
unless an advertiser or publisher has
FREE PARKING OUTSIDE THE SHOWROOM , 12 CRICKLADE RD Registered in England & Wales, No, 4513027, sought permission. Articles and photo-
Registered Office: 130 High Street. Hungerford. Berks. graphs require similar authority
or call Tracev or Amanda on 01rs3 611051 Printed by pcp, Telford