A CONCERT hall, art gallery and land train are all part of the bold blueprint for the town centre which has sprung from the minds of opposition politicians.

Swindon’s Labour Group revealed their ‘masterplan’ for regeneration in the town centre to rival the plans of the Tory-led administration at Swindon Council.

Still at an early stage, their plans have not yet been costed but Labour have already approached local businesses and Forward Swindon, the firm charged with regenerating the town centre, who are also devising their own masterplan.

Labour’s ideas include two new walkways linking the town centre to the Oasis Leisure Centre and Outlet Village, as well as a train circuit touring Swindon’s railway heritage.

Deputy Labour leader, Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab, Parks), said he hoped Labour’s plans, inspired by places such as Bristol and Newcastle, would be well received.

“This is about the long-term look for the future,” he said.

“On regeneration we have seen we need a clear master-plan to be able to take it forward. We need to have one if we are to succeed.

“One of the big ideas is to create better links to the town centre and capitalise on Swindon’s heritage.

“The railway heritage here is really special and this is an opportunity to bring it alive.”

Coun Dempsey also claimed Swindon’s regeneration had stalled compared to other major urban centres, something deputy council leader Garry Perkins disputes.

Coun Dempsey said: “We have had eight years of the Conservatives and nothing seems to have changed. The rotting college building represents their approach.

“Other towns and cities have changed a lot in eight years – the transformation of Bristol and Gloucester for example. Swindon has been left behind.

“If Whalebridge is the sum total of regeneration in Swindon then most people would say we have failed. And as for the Regent Circus we have waited and waited and most people’s patience has run out.”

Coun Perkins, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It’s all very well having fantasies and I’m sure Mark has got a very nice colouring book but it is different in the real world.

“Swindon is going forward – it has not gone forward as fast as we would like but we are realists.

“Mark has been involved in the drawing up of our masterplan and if he has a plan let’s work together.

“We don’t want a competition of who can design the best town centre – we want everybody working together.

“It shouldn’t be a Labour plan or a Tory plan. It’s got to be a Swindon plan that everybody can sign up to. This is too important to play politics with people’s lives.”