THE future of one of the most popular and historically important parks in Swindon is up for discussion.

People are being asked how they want to use GWR Park in Faringdon Road and how it should be developed and preserved in an online survey launched by Swindon Borough Council.

One of the closest green spaces to the town centre, the park was bought by Great Western Railway as a cricket pitch for its workers and is the oldest public park in Swindon.

Cabinet member for regeneration of culture, heritage and leisure Dale Heenan said: "The GWR Park on Faringdon Road has played an active role in the town centre's social and leisure life for over 170 years.

“Historic England and Swindon Borough Council are delivering the regeneration of the Railway Village, and my priority is the restoration of the Mechanics' Institute, just a 60-second walk from GWR Park.

“Any person who has an interest in GWR Park should complete the survey so that the borough and parish council can make this area the best that it can be."

Vice chairman of South Swindon Parish Council Janine Howarth said: “Since the parish council took over the running of the park it has made great progress beginning to care and restore it to its full potential.

“It’s not only the oldest park in Swindon but its history is steeped in Swindon’s Railway Heritage and its people.

“We are therefore pleased to be working on this project to further develop the park by listening to you the people who use and care about the park, making it a great place for future generations to enjoy.”

Improvement work is being funded by Historic England as part of its Railway Village Heritage Action Zone scheme

To fill out the survey visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/gwrparksurvey