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Pavement parking ban

As I understand it councils will soon have the option to ban vehicles parking on the pavement. If the law is passed, I suggest Swindon Borough Council implements it as soon as it can.

On my travels around the town both by bicycle and car, I’m appalled at the number of vehicles I see parked on pavements. Clearly, those that do it, have no family member or friends with an impairment. If they did, they wouldn’t park like it.

Regrettably, we are now living in a world where a lot of people couldn’t care less.They have no thought or consideration for others by their actions. You can add to that, parking on double yellow lines, jumping red lights, driving in excess of the speed limit, parking on restricted zones by roundabouts or traffic lights and even in bus stops.

People know they are in the wrong. But, because of austerity and cuts to public services there is no law enforcement. You can bring in any law you want. But, unless there is an significant increase in enforcement officers to fine these ignorant people then I fear it will simply continue.

My late mother was confined to a wheelchair due to a degenerative illness. She had no choice. I’d ask the motorists who participate in this selfish act, to consider people like my mother and those less fortunate than themselves. If not, then hurt them in the pocket with fines. It’s the only way they’ll learn.

Alan Wilson, Shapwick Close, Nythe

Too far to vote

Having read the article in the Swindon Advertiser today by Aled Thomas regarding ‘What’s wrong with your polling station?’ I can understand people’s frustrations at how far they have to go to use a polling station.

Not many years ago people in my area voted at St Phillips church hall, Beechcroft Road, Upper Stratton, which in actual fact is about 150 yards from where I live.

Although this polling station is still used for voting at parish and Swindon Borough Council elections people in my area have to go to the polling station in the church hall at the Baptist church, Green Road, Stratton to vote, which in comparison is a great deal further to go.

Also although we live in the parish of Stratton and pay the parish precept, (the highest in Swindon), we actually have to vote for the Gorsehill and Pinehurst candidates in the S.B.C. elections.

Does this make sense?

David Law, Merton Avenue

Political change needed

We are truly living through an amazing change in politics.

I had always assumed from his previous letters, to the Swindon Advertiser, that Bob Pixton was a Labour Party supporter. It appears that my assumption was wrong. He is clearly so distraught that he condemns the “Purge of the Tory Faithful” and laments the loss of “loyal Conservatives” (SA, September 10).

However, he fails to mention whether he puts the sovereign rights of the people above that of Parliament.

He continues to use the fanatical Europhile argument that the EU referendum could be seen as “an advisory vote rather like a poll, not binding”.

This is not what we were told by the establishment during the campaign. It was made clear that the result would be binding and respected.

Incidentally, Mr Pixton did I really misunderstand the basis of your previous letter?

It seems to me traditional party politics is dying and for the sake of true British democracy we need political change.

Kenneth Kane, Wharf Road, Wroughton