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Let's get it sorted!
TODAY sees the launch of our campaign to Get It Sorted.
We want you to contact us with problems in your community so that we can help you get the problem fixed.
If there is a bus shelter on your street that is repeatedly vandalised, a road that is constantly full of potholes or a particular area blighted by graffiti then we want to know about it.
To kick start the campaign we sent our reporter James Wallin out on the streets of Swindon to see what he could find.
He found a number of instances of potholes, broken bus shelters and a clock which local residents say has been stopped for years.
We have no evidence that any of these incidents have been reported to the council.
Carol O'Sullivan, 41, pictured, a resident of Avebury Road in Penhill, said that she hoped the Adver's Get It Sorted drive would make a difference and help solve problems such as potholes near her home.
She said: "We have had this pothole for about a year, and it's terrible. I'm part of the Avebury Road Residents' Association and we have tried to get it fixed but it doesn't seem to have done any good.
"I think people have this bad idea of Penhill and because of that we don't get prioritised. It needs to change.
"It's a nice area and we would like to have problems like this fixed."
Residents in Cavendish Square said they thought the Adver's campaign was a good idea.
Trevor Martin, 61, said: "Let's hope it does something positive because it does get you down seeing things constantly smashed up and vandalised.
"The council do a pretty good job but they can't be everywhere at once."
Florence Horn said: "The bus shelters get smashed all the time and something needs to be done about it.
"I don't think problems are solved quickly enough.
"I hope it makes a difference putting it in the paper."
Joyce Hibbert, 76, said: "You do see a lot of vandalism and I would like to see that tackled.
"In Liden there have been bus shelters smashed and even people's windows. It needs to be stopped."
Anyone who wishes to report an incident to the council should contact them via the 01793 445500 number.
To contact Get It Sorted email getitsorted@swindonadvertiser. co.uk.
8:23am Saturday 17th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jacko, swindon area on 10:07am Sat 17 May 08
Theres more chance of the Advertiser getting things done than ringing the Council yourself.
Well done.
Have you thought of running the town completly.
Theres more chance of the Advertiser getting things done than ringing the Council yourself.
Well done.
Have you thought of running the town completly.
Posted by: TheBluesBrother, Swindon on 10:48am Sat 17 May 08
Getting the council to fix potholes, are you having a laugh. I have complained about potholes to the council through the website "fixmystreet.com" as I ride a superbike and some are bad, how is it that the elf 'n' safety people never get involved.
You complain and all the council will do is come out and put a yellow paint mark around the pothole.
There is a good example St Mary's church roundabout which has been there for months.
Getting the council to fix potholes, are you having a laugh. I have complained about potholes to the council through the website "fixmystreet.com" as I ride a superbike and some are bad, how is it that the elf 'n' safety people never get involved.
You complain and all the council will do is come out and put a yellow paint mark around the pothole.
There is a good example St Mary's church roundabout which has been there for months.
Posted by: PaulD on 4:03pm Sat 17 May 08
[quote]I have complained about potholes to the council through the website "fixmystreet.com"[/quote]
Have you ever tried contacting the council directly instead?
I have complained about potholes to the council through the website "fixmystreet.com"
Have you ever tried contacting the council directly instead?
Posted by: dalekdave, Swindon on 5:59pm Sat 17 May 08
We have this newspaper in Swindon that publishes 6 days a week but only actually has enough news to fill one issue a week. Any chance you could "get it sorted!"
In all seriousness, why on earth are you seeking to provide a service (in the loosest possible sense of the word) that the Council already provide.
Its so easy to come up with a list of all the things that need fixing, its not so easy to manage them all within budget of course but this cheap shot campaign doesnt need to worry about anything like that does it. All it will achieve is raised expectations and ni improvement.
We have this newspaper in Swindon that publishes 6 days a week but only actually has enough news to fill one issue a week. Any chance you could "get it sorted!"
In all seriousness, why on earth are you seeking to provide a service (in the loosest possible sense of the word) that the Council already provide.
Its so easy to come up with a list of all the things that need fixing, its not so easy to manage them all within budget of course but this cheap shot campaign doesnt need to worry about anything like that does it. All it will achieve is raised expectations and ni improvement.
Posted by: Donkey, Swindon on 6:36pm Sat 17 May 08
The timing of this little exercise is quite significant.
This Council's record should have been challenged [bold]prior[/bold] to the recent local elections, if the newspaper [italic]must[/italic] create an issue on poor services, instead of totally featuring on national Government failings.
Low Council tax, mind you the Tories will forever harp on about [bold]the proven[/bold] necessary increases made by the previous Labour administration, always equate to shoddy services due to lack of money to be diverted to these areas.
I don't know how our TT motorcycle riders around the town do not hit these 'divots' and end up on their backsides as they ignore every speed limit? (90% of motorcyclists that is!)
The timing of this little exercise is quite significant.
This Council's record should have been challenged
prior to the recent local elections, if the newspaper
must create an issue on poor services, instead of totally featuring on national Government failings.
Low Council tax, mind you the Tories will forever harp on about
the proven necessary increases made by the previous Labour administration, always equate to shoddy services due to lack of money to be diverted to these areas.
I don't know how our TT motorcycle riders around the town do not hit these 'divots' and end up on their backsides as they ignore every speed limit? (90% of motorcyclists that is!)
Posted by: Jacko, swindon area on 9:38am Sun 18 May 08
Donkey speed doesnt kill. it,s stopping fast that does that.
But I totally agree that the question should have been before the election. But hey who gives a ****. better late than never.
Donkey speed doesnt kill. it,s stopping fast that does that.
But I totally agree that the question should have been before the election. But hey who gives a ****. better late than never.
Posted by: Jacko, swindon area on 9:40am Sun 18 May 08
Donkey speed doesnt kill. it,s stopping fast that does that.
But I totally agree that the question should have been before the election. But hey who gives a ****. better late than never.
Donkey speed doesnt kill. it,s stopping fast that does that.
But I totally agree that the question should have been before the election. But hey who gives a ****. better late than never.
Posted by: Frontier(s) on 10:56am Sun 18 May 08
[quote][bold]Donkey wrote:[/bold]
The timing of this little exercise is quite significant.
[/quote]
A bit like the daily press releases we've endured in the Adver from Anne Snelgrove since Labour got thrashed in the local elections you mean?
By the way, don't expect much support for your views from motorcyclists after just insulting them all.
Donkey wrote:
The timing of this little exercise is quite significant.
A bit like the daily press releases we've endured in the Adver from Anne Snelgrove since Labour got thrashed in the local elections you mean?
By the way, don't expect much support for your views from motorcyclists after just insulting them all.
Posted by: P S Altery, Swindon on 10:55am Mon 19 May 08
I have been complaining about the dreadful "music" made by Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiichard for years. Nothing to date has been done, unless something is done to alleviate the racket made by this "minstrel" then I can't see this campaign going anywhere!!!
I have been complaining about the dreadful "music" made by Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
iiiiiiichard for years. Nothing to date has been done, unless something is done to alleviate the racket made by this "minstrel" then I can't see this campaign going anywhere!!!
Posted by: Dick-Turpin, Swindon on 12:21pm Mon 19 May 08
So we report it to the adver how long before they pass this onto the council??? Are they going to take full responsibility if they fail to pass this information on in time?
So we report it to the adver how long before they pass this onto the council??? Are they going to take full responsibility if they fail to pass this information on in time?
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