Business owners on Bridge Street in Swindon say the M40 traffic-style pressure of people moving through the area has been joined by a worse problem: drugs, sex, litter and rats. The street links Swindon Railway Station directly to the town centre, and workers say the conditions are now putting people off coming in.
One business owner said the street has been completely taken over with drugs, sex, litter and rats. Another said, "It's gotten worse. Drinking, anti-social behaviour, asking for money. drugs."
Bridge Street and Regenerate
Shopkeepers on Bridge Street say anti-social behaviour has been going on for over 30 years, but they say the latest period has been worse. One business owner said people gather at the bins behind Regenerate and sleep there, take drugs and drink.
Dorothea, an administrator on Bridge Street, described the problems as "disgusting behaviour" and said, "There is a lot of drug taking and sexual encounters going on at the back of Regenerate." She added, "The police did a sweep but still it continues. Not great as the gateway to Swindon."
Fleming Way and Swindon town centre
Workers said the situation is landing at a sensitive point for Swindon, because Bridge Street sits on the route between Swindon Railway Station and the town centre. One business owner said, "Of course it has an effect on our shops - who wants to go anywhere when you have someone taking drugs?"
That same owner said, "Things are starting to happen now, shops are reopening and I do think the town centre generally is looking up, but what's happening with all the drinkers etc in particular has to stop."
Workers also said money spent on Fleming Way to bring people into the town centre will be wasted if anti-social behaviour on Bridge Street is not dealt with. One business owner said, "I know a lot of money has been spent on Fleming Way to bring people into the town centre but it's going to waste because a lot of people don't want to come into town."
The immediate issue for people using the route is simple: Bridge Street is being described by the people working there as a place where the problems are visible, persistent and getting worse, even as parts of the town centre reopen.
