Whenever there is any suggestion of progress that may mean change in this town, it's vigorously dismissed as being inappropriate by the usual impressive sounding local groups having a tantrum.

The individuals who were involved in planning Swindon in the past have luckily been prepared to look at the bigger picture. If those people had taken the easy choices many of the job opportunities tin this town simply would not exist.

As a town we have evolved from a pathetic settlement on top of a hill to a hi-tech regional centre of industry employing many thousands of people from all over the region all at the cost of what once was farm land.

I agree that decisions made on where expansion should take place are complex and should be carefully considered, but I also realise that building on brown field sites at all costs is not always the right answer.

I just hope that decisions that are made in the name of progress are made without the intervention of financial and political influences.

A Smith

Old Town