Swindon locals have voiced their hopes and demands for the town. 

Responding to a question posed on the Swindon Advertiser Facebook page, asking for thoughts on what the new Swindon Borough Council administration should focus on, members of the public spoke out passionately about the issues they believe need immediate attention.

Lesley Yvonne Everson sparked the discussion, urging authorities to take concrete actions to transform Swindon into a town its residents can be proud of.

She highlighted the potential dangers posed by speeding bikes in the town centre and called for measures to address the issue promptly.

"The speed of the bikes that are ridden in the town centre," she said.

"If they knock a child it will kill them, actually if they hit anyone it will do damage. I have even said you are not allowed to ride and all you get is abuse. I have nearly been hit.

Debbie Ponting stressed the urgency of tackling knife and gun crime, a sentiment echoed by many others.

Anthony Begley added his voice, pointing out the pressing issue of potholes that mar the roads and suggested swift action to rectify the problem, with many echoing his sentiments.

Other residents like Catherine Milligan demanded improvements to Whitworth Road cemetery and the reemployment of staff at the civic offices to enhance services and communication.

Several comments centred around housing and social services. Jim Chaloner called for action to address homelessness and prioritize social housing for Swindonians.

Clare Loxton stressed the importance of improving hospital, elderly care, and mental health services.

Richard Clark emphasized the significance of building a relationship with the public.

He said: "The biggest issue is Trust. Our new council need to be looking at ways they can complete projects by using reliable firms who can get the job done.

"Only then can we ever expect investment, as no one will invest in a town where there is a track record of failures.

"Also they need to gain the trust of the residents by doing what’s right for the town and not for themselves.

"This is why the Oasis was listed, as no one trusted the former council or Seven to build a new leisure centre in its place."

Other areas of concern raised by residents included tackling antisocial behaviour, addressing flooding, and investing in green initiatives to reduce the town's carbon footprint.

The comments also revealed some disagreements and frustration with the council's handling of various issues, with residents seeking more transparency and accountability.