08/08/06 - Cllr Tomlinson, Speedway Developers U-Turn

Cllr Tomlinson Discussing The Proposed Plans At
The Recent Public Exhibition

Developer U-Turn, 08/08/06 - Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Robins could be found a home in the new stadium proposed for Blunsdon.

Stadium owners Gaming International met Swindon councillors at 3pm yesterday, agreeing to look for ways to keep the speedway team at Blunsdon.

The agreement marks a major U-turn from less than a month ago when the company and its joint venture partner, Thistle Land, were adamant there was no place for the speedway in their redevelopment plans.

They said then there was no room for the Robins in what was to be a new greyhound stadium and 300-house development for the site on the A419.

On July 12, the Adver revealed the companies wanted the Robins out. Gaming International chief executive Clarke Osborne said if another site could not be found outside Blunsdon, "speedway in Swindon will be no more."

The Cabinet member for leisure, culture and recreation, Justin Tomlinson said he and council deputy leader Fionuala Foley had met delegates of the two companies yesterday.

He said the meeting had ended with an agreement that the developers would withdraw their objections to the Robins being at the stadium and find ways to include them in redevelopment.

"We have had a constructive meeting looking at ways we could keep speedway at the existing site," Coun Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads) said.

"Both the council and the developers will be looking at ways to make this a reality. This could be welcome news for fans."

Coun Tomlinson credited the Adver's Save The Robins campaign and grassroots support for the turnaround.The Save The Robins campaign has so far collected more than 1,600 signatures.

"This is because of the success of the local campaign and the club," Coun Tomlinson said.

"There are hurdles that would need to be negotiated but things are moving in the right direction. We have met with Thistle Land and Gaming International.

"That was a positive meeting. Two weeks ago they wanted speedway to go to Reading, then somewhere in Swindon. Now it's the new stadium."

Mr Osborne said the Robins might be found a home in any new stadium.

"We've had discussions with the council over a number of opportunities, one of which would see the speedway remain," he said. "It is an option. We are actively looking at options."

He said keeping the Robins would mean major changes to the plans for the A419 site.

"We are examining a completely different proposal. It would be a mixture of speedway and greyhounds," he said.

"There are early days. The developers are looking at all solutions for the future of speedway.

"There are a set of circumstances that could allow the speedway to stay."

Mr Osborne declined to give any more information on what would have to be done to keep the speedway at Blunsdon.

Darcia Gingell, of Swindon Supporters' Club, said fans welcomed news that the team no longer faced definite eviction.

She said fans would keep up the pressure to save the Robins for Swindon.

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "Myself and Cllr Foley have worked extremely hard and swiftly to meet with the Speedway club, fans and the developers.  We are delighted that through the co-ordinated and positive pressure the developers are now actively seeking to keep Speedway within the development.  Whilst there is still much to do, this is certainly the high point of the campaign so far."