Scrooge jibe as Magic Roundabout tree branded 'a waste of money' (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Scrooge jibe as Magic Roundabout tree branded 'a waste of money'
1:20pm Friday 28th November 2008 in News
The Magic Roundabout
PLANS to light up the Magic Roundabout with a 40ft Christmas tree have been criticised by a Labour councillor.
On Monday the Adver revealed Swindon’s Conservative council leader Rod Bluh’s ambitious plans to put a Christmas tree in the middle of the famous roundabout.
This was in response to comments by Swindon taxi drivers that visitors to Swindon often wanted to see the Magic Roundabout but usually found it underwhelming.
But Coun Derique Montaut, Labour’s transport spokesman, said the plan would be hazardous to motorists and a waste of money.
Coun Bluh said he was acting more like Scrooge.
Coun Montaut said: “I have been saying for years that something more needs to be done with the Magic Roundabout – it is a landmark for Swindon but people are disappointed when they see it.
“But this is not the right way to do it – a Christmas tree could be a danger to drivers. If the Tories do manage to put it up it’ll be the only piece of cheer we’ll get from them this year.”
Coun Montaut believes there are a number of other initiatives which would be more suitable.
He said: “I have suggested some form of tower, or maybe a statue. Considering it is so close to the football club we could have something representing great players from the past – I think Don Rogers kicking a football would be a good symbol for the town.
“Personally I would like to see a statue of the Tories being kicked out of central ward.”
He also believes that the council should concentrate on putting money where it is really needed.
He said: “I would like to know where they are going to find the money for this tree, when that money could be used much better in investing in central ward.”
Coun Bluh responded to the criticisms by saying: “Is Coun Montaut auditioning for the part of Scrooge?
“This is a way of bringing a little Christmas cheer at a time when it is sorely needed.
“This is about first of all listening to the taxi drivers, in their role as ambassadors, and about doing something that could improve the public perception of a Swindon landmark.
“As for kicking out the Conservatives – it is this administration that is driving the positive changes happening in Swindon after years of Labour talking instead of delivering.”
Comments(31)
tibbie
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1:27pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Esk_Hause
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1:28pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Surely the Adver meant to say "sorely"....??!?!
tibbie
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1:36pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Always Grumpy
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2:13pm Fri 28 Nov 08
No doubt Donkey will be in denial about that particular dark moment in Swindon's history.
tibbie
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2:24pm Fri 28 Nov 08
localgirl80
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2:26pm Fri 28 Nov 08
tibbie
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2:32pm Fri 28 Nov 08
DarkAuror
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2:34pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Bah, Humbug!
tibbie
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2:35pm Fri 28 Nov 08
DarkAuror wrote:well said
How is a statue or tower not less distracting than a xmas tree? Bah, Humbug!
beebugmissy
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3:08pm Fri 28 Nov 08
localgirl80 wrote:I know what you mean, but ultimately when I drive round there I take each roundabout as it comes so the tree wouldn't come so much as a problem. To go with, how many other roundabouts are there that you can see across because of a load of trees and bushes, but are still relatively safe without accidents?
I dunno - A bit of xmas spirit is always welcome to me. But when I use the Magic Roundabout - I like to see all of it and how the traffic is flowing. An accident that occurs on there can be a nightmare.
Also since the roundabout is so convoluted, surely people shouldn't be racing round it but instead driving in a low gear at slow speed, thus avoiding accidenets?
I think it would be nice to light up that roundabout a bit - Bluh hit the nail on the head about it representing Swindon and it being a landmark. I was very disappointed the first time I came across it - not only because of the lack of a tree (of course!) or anything else standing in the centre of it, but also because of the buildings around it. It just seemed grey and boring.
ourtone
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3:08pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Is there nothing in his life other than his back-stabbing, mind-numbing, weasily, spiteful, miserable, vindictive, hateful, drivelling leftie politics. Can’t he forget about his socialist agenda and just be a normal human being for even one day.
I would like to see a statue on the Magic Roundabout of a bunch of Socialists being attacked and eaten by werewolves. We could have local boys like Monaut and Andy Newman, together with national figures like John Prescott and Jacqui Smith.
It would put a smile on my face
beebugmissy
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3:09pm Fri 28 Nov 08
ourtone
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3:16pm Fri 28 Nov 08
tibbie
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3:19pm Fri 28 Nov 08
beebugmissy
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3:24pm Fri 28 Nov 08
As for what should go in the middle - perhaps we could say a Christmas tree for now, but ideas for a more permanent attraction would be great - will give the Council some time to prepare it ;) he he!!
localgirl80
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3:32pm Fri 28 Nov 08
beebugmissy
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3:43pm Fri 28 Nov 08
I still don't think it would do much harm to have an Xmas tree in the centre in terms of safety though... People should also be driving slowly on there as I say. If you think how extra cautious people are on there too, shouldn't be too much of a problem. Safety becomes such an issue in people's minds just because of the initial reaction of people when they first hear about/experience it but it's actually not a bad ride.
Does anyone know the safety stats of accidents on the magic roundabouts compared to other roundabouts in Swindon?
Inky
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3:45pm Fri 28 Nov 08
beebugmissy
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3:51pm Fri 28 Nov 08
beebugmissy
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3:53pm Fri 28 Nov 08
tibbie
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3:57pm Fri 28 Nov 08
anncameron
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3:59pm Fri 28 Nov 08
What a fabulous idea. go for it... why do the labour party dis such a good idea? was it coz they didn't think of it..... don't be so miserable!
tibbie
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4:03pm Fri 28 Nov 08
NoAngel
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4:08pm Fri 28 Nov 08
The proper way to use the magic is to observe ahead the flow of traffic and SEE which route around it presents the LESS congested. With a great big tree in the middle you’ll see naff all.
Contrary to what other posters have said, it would present a road hazard as a distraction to road users. No I’m not trying to be a kill joy, I’ve seen far to near misses over the years at Xmas time because drivers are distracted looking at the pretty twinkling lights. The only lights anyone should be concentrating on whilst using the magic should be the indicators and brake lights of other road users.
tibbie
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4:12pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Captain T
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7:30pm Fri 28 Nov 08
malkym1
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9:32pm Fri 28 Nov 08
Always Grumpy wrote:Grumps your comment certainly made me shudder - I remember the aptly named Bates - rather like Anthony Perkin's character in Psycho in my opinion - in modern pop terms Scary Spice! The former leader of the Borough of Thumbsdown! I can still see the image - the narrow eyes that always seemed to be squinting in photos, the boyish short cropped hair style -aaaarrrgh - I'll probably have a Nick Ross moment now - I'll definitely have nightmares and I won't sleep well! Didn't that administration win "the worst performing local authority award" or something i seem to recall -my memory's a tad hazy - wasn't Mr Small (no! no! not Roger Hargreaves's Mr Small) her aide de camp number too - our Kevin - or was it is Dad? Whatever - rather an inglorious period probably best left unremembered.
Labour always seem to 'conveniently' forget the tens of thousands of pounds wasted under the evil 'Bates Regime'. No doubt Donkey will be in denial about that particular dark moment in Swindon's history.
flicky
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11:08pm Fri 28 Nov 08
What about a noticeboard to inform visitors that they have indeed reached the largest roundabout in UK??? Does anyone know?
Always Grumpy
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6:38am Sat 29 Nov 08
Random squirts would certainly keep the motorists on their toes - you could even set them to music like the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.
Mick12
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11:00am Sat 29 Nov 08
Felix A
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3:05pm Sat 29 Nov 08
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