Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 446

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It's a total I'm not proud to have been in.

9. She nearly shoved her and knocked her down he stairs.

8. The reliable bunch have turned up.

7. It always get stuck at this time, when will someone do something?

6. They've not had a manager there since 1996.

5. There is no way it can be better than what we've currently got.

4. For women it's hugely empowering.

3. What got written in that newsletter was entirely avoidable if they had just listened.

2. He is odd and his mother does not help, running round after him all the time.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. They're all wearing lanyards like a badge of honour, it's nothing to be proud of.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 445

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. You don't even look when you pass by.

9. We all see you've got your head in the clouds.

8. I didn't really work out the moves to the whole thing.

7. I've been waiting since nine past and look here's three of them.

6. They always say it'll be blocked, but the traffic vanishes into another dimension on Akers Way sometimes.

5. Been driving for ages, never acknowledges passengers and has gone years without anything resembling a smile.

4. Let's keep in perspective in all of this, she doesn't like you and never will.

3. But it's love then you better hold on for dear life mate.

2. No Christmas markets this year, I'm still up to my ears in scented candles.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. As soon as I get this baby dropped I'm coming after him.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

An Outlet for Poor Planning Permission

The discounting of Rodbourne and Even Swindon residents complaints about the Outlet Village traffic could only last so long and has recently come to a head.

In the stock-comment by councillors, plenty of room is always made for not wanting to make changes that will ruin the Outlet's success.

One blindingly obvious point about the traffic problems that comes right back to the council's involvement, is never mentioned. Namely that Swindon Borough Council councillors signed-off the continued expansion of the Outlet and the former Works site through planning applications, and ultimately the accompanying transport and traffic plans.

After several years of near-gridlock at busy times that blocks roads not just nearby, but also into the centre of town, the west and north, plus major disruption to bus services, an easily-deployable traffic plan is only now being discussed.

Swindoncentric will provide one for free. When the Outlet's car parks are full, close them and direct drivers to Bristol Street or to the Brunel Centre's car parks. Needless queues are created by drivers waiting at the ticket barriers, then driving around to find no spaces and queuing to leave. Plus, deploy traffic marshals on Rodbourne Road, Kemble Drive, Paddington and Penzance Drives to keep traffic moving and more specifically bus services.

Christmas is just around the corner, crack on.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 444

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. They swept it right into my direction.

9. That seat is the prize seat, second only to the driver's.

8. I waited so long and eventually it happened and it was so quick.

7. You always ask that about my opinion, but I might as well not have one.

6. There was a milky-hue to it, not nice if you're lactose afraid.

5. I presume you nodded politely and left like a shot?

4. The injury was not as terrible to get as you think.

3. I saved your space, but then this happened once we got to the shops.

2. The record of my sales have been sent as far as Telford, I couldn't believe it.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I did quite well, I didn't get zombie eyes when he was talking to me.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.

In Swindon it's too unaffordable to build affordable houses

There was cause for hope when Swindon Borough Council said they were setting up their own housing company. At last, SBC could borrow money at historically low levels, build houses and either rent them (at council housing rates) and/or sell them on the private market. The privately-sold could have returned a profit and helped to pay for the new council houses.

But, of course, that would be too easy.

Instead SBC have built just seven houses, in 18 months of existence.

They do have a plan to build 14 houses in Shaw. Cynical residents say the original plan from the company was to build 16 houses, but that has been reduced as it realised that the plan would legally have to include affordable housing. But as we know all too well with SBC, everything, is always about the money.

Just to hammer-home that point, further sites around town identified for fill-in development by the housing company are due to be sold-off to developers, rather than done in-house.

Will there be a line in the sale contract to make sure the companies who buy the land will develop it in a short period of time and not land bank the purchase and simply fuel the housing shortage?

Of course not, this is all about the money!

- No strict control on design standards by doing it yourself.

- No new council houses to replace those being sold.

- No steady flow of new builds that the council can control.

At least they can use the money to rebrand themselves 'Swindon Housing Land Company'

How vibrant!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 443

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. He put on the hat with the flower in it.

9. I thought all of these shoes were your husband's.

8. We only got as far as question one, it's going to take forever.

7. She took my name and didn't bother.

6. No that'll lead us to a dead end that other drivers have vanished into, never to return.

5. As a child, I remember being quite philosophical.

4. I think you've just got a common face.

3. They'll be in open revolt, mark my words.

2. If they're as good as they claim to be, why are the playing in Mark's back room?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I only watch the X Factor now for the adverts.

Overheard something we've missed? Then let us know.