UNIVERSITY towns are known for having a thriving commercial hub and being held in esteem as a seat of learning.

But according to Swindon North MP Michael Wills, the chance of Swindon getting its £200 million university campus is slipping away while key players dilly-dally.

He is sickened by the prospect of the chance being lost a chance for the greatest development in Swindon since Brunel brought the railway here.

It seems the political will is here in Swindon, but Mr Wills blames the South West Regional Development Agency and the South West Government office for the delays that could see the second campus never being built.

There is conflict because the RDA favours the campus being built in the town centre while the favoured location in the Swindon Local Plan identifies the controversial site near the Great Western Hospital. This could mean the RDA will look to other towns and Swindon will lose out.

Now both Mr Wills and the vice-chancellor of the University of Bath in Swindon, Glynis Breakwell, want all the players to get round the table in the Commons and thrash out the plans.

This chance for Swindon must not be lost though any more time-wasting.