The demolished south side of Medgbury Road, Swindon

Image: © P L Chadwick Taken: Unknown

A Victorian street of terraced housing in the town centre. The gardens on the south side used to back onto the Wilts & Berks Canal, which closed here around 1927. On its route Fleming Way has been built. This photograph was taken in April 1980, from the junction with Medgbury Place. Within a year or so, the south side of the street had been demolished, but the other side was left standing. The houses were built of red brick, and had two bedrooms upstairs. As can be seen, the entrance doors opened directly onto the street. Further along on this side were Cetus Buildings, which had been built as accommodation for canal workers. There was also the Whale Inn, but all these were demolished much earlier, to facilitate road improvements. Much of the site of the demolished terraced houses is now occupied by Cockram Court, a sheltered housing scheme owned by Swindon Borough Council.

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