Bus move madness

I wish to respond to the article in your paper of 3 January 2014 about bus route changes being introduced by Thamesdown Transport.

In particular I would like to express my concerns and that of Rodbourne residents about the changes to the No.13/14 services and the fact that these services will no longer serve the Farnsby Street, Commercial Road and Regent Circus parts of the town centre, removing in a stroke of a pen, the opportunity for Rodbourne, Cheney Manor, Rodbourne Cheney and Moredon residents having bus access to the western part of the town centre. A move which seems even more incredulous when you think that in 2014 the new Regent Circus development will be opening and a large part of North Central Swindon will not have direct public transport access to the site, which I am sure Morrisons, Cineworld and the other outlets on that site will be concerned to hear.

The 13/14 services are not subsidised and are some of Thamesdown Transport’s most profitable routes, and recently we have seen double-deckers being introduced to the route to cope with demand. The bus company claims the changes are to do with saving time on this part of the route and will allocate the saved time to other parts that suffer with congestion, which we all know is a problem in Swindon, especially at Bruce Street bridges at teatime. But would it not be more appropriate for Thamesdown Transport to support these popular services with additional buses during the evening rush hour, rather than destroy the golden goose?

I have written to Thamesdown Transport and the Council to express my concerns and ask that the decision be reversed. As of yet Thamesdown Transport have not replied. I will continue to press the bus company to reverse this change and ask the council for their assistance to force the bus company that they own to have a change of heart.

Councillor Kevin Small Swindon

Try a 20mph zone

The previous trial of the prohibition of motor vehicle restrictions for Queensfield left a lot to be desired in its planning, control and cost to council tax payers, also to other residents of the estate who use the local supermarkets, doctor and dental practices which can only see patients at times that may conflict with the restrictions. (This has happened to me).

1. What was the cost of police to monitor the project? (but was only done about six times during the trial) 2. It was noticed that local residents watched the traffic on several occasions exiting and coming into the estate during the trial period.

3. Would it not be better to make Queensfield estate a 20mph zone and recruit speed wardens from the local residents, as I am sure that the local councillor would be more than willing to take part.

4. The only part of Queensfield affected by the volume of traffic is the west side of the estate but there are a lot of vehicles that speed around the other roads here so a speed control would make more sense.

5. There has been a lot of construction traffic on the estate over the last year and there is more to come what with the old pub being redeveloped. How will this be affected if there is a return to the original proposals?

Doug Read Queensfield Swindon

Cryptic aberration

On Saturday I sat down and as always looked forward to completing my usual cryptic crossword puzzle for the day, only to find that it had been replaced by a pub quiz type general knowledge puzzle.

I am hoping this is just a one off, one day error and that such sacrilege is not intended to be repeated.

One of the reasons for buying the Swindon Advertiser is for the cryptic crossword puzzle and as far as I am concerned adds much of the value for money to it, so if this is the way forward with pub quiz puzzles then I will not bother buying it ever again after 35-40 years of loyalty. I will buy the daily ‘I’ for 20 pence instead which has an excellent cryptic crossword puzzle, and get the local news online.

Has someone deliberately set out to annoy me, as this is certainly the way to do it?

G A Woodward Nelson Street Swindon 

Editor’s note: This was indeed a “one-off”. A technical error meant we were unable to publish the regular puzzles page on Saturday January 4, for which we apologise. Normal service has been resumed.

Food for thought

FOOD banks have become a necessary part of our unequal society.

I would like to pay tribute to those who run and work for these charitable organisations. I emphasise not just at Christmas but all year round.

They give the time, and other people donate the food. It is a heartwarming exercise.

Some people with lowly paid jobs need foodbanks.

MAX NOTTINGHAM St Faith’s Street Lincoln

Open door policy

Immigration is much in the news because on January 1 we opened our borders to Romania and Bulgaria.

The majority of the people in Britain want immigration controlled but there is only one party that believes in controlled immigration.

The three major parties all support uncontrolled EU immigration into Britain. Whatever your views on the EU you must agree it is essential for the voters to have an alternative to the three major parties on this very important issue.

Steve Halden Beaufort Green Swindon

Postpone flushing

Rubbish and now recycling collections will be fortnightly from now on. What’s next? Will Thames Water only pump sewage on alternate days?

Graham Price Turnham Green Swindon