SPEEDING traffic and heavy goods vehicles rattling properties in Gipsy Lane has driven Neil Edwards and other residents to the police and council for action to be taken.

The 45-year-old has lived in the Gorse Hill road for eight years and has raised the issue for several years without any success, but may be making inroads with neighbourhood police.

PC Stacey McGarry, community beat manager for Gorse Hill, has pushed the matter into the top three issues she and her team will crack down on for a three-month period.

Whereas the HGV issue may continue for some while longer, as Swindon Council continues to weigh up the complaints and how it might feasibly tackle them.

“I had no illusions when I moved here, but I didn’t realise how fast they went,” said Mr Edwards, a temporary worker at South Marston Distribution Centre.

“Every car speeds, don’t they? Flashing lights have been put in place to tell drivers when they are going too fast, but in all honesty they don’t work and people get used to seeing them flash.

“We get police speed checks as and when we can. Stacey’s been on speed gun training and is out there once a month, but it’s not going to have much of an effect. If you see a copper you’re going to slow down, people aren’t stupid.”

The issue was raised at a meeting organised by Swindon Council for all issues in the North Central locality, at which a suggestion was made for a speed camera to be introduced in the road.

Mr Edwards agreed with the merits of the idea and felt it was the only answer to bring this issue to a close, though he accepted the council may no longer back such ideas.

The issue was made a priority for local police at the end of February, and since then PC McGarry and her team have attempted to crack down.

The matter will remain a priority until the end of May, when the neighbourhood team will reassess its main focuses.

“We have recently resurrected this as a priority in Swindon following discussions at the local neighbourhood community meeting,” she said.

“Police will be showing a highly visible presence in the area, conducting speed checks and my advice to all the local motorists would be, keep to the speed limit or face a £100 fine and three points on their licence.

“To be honest, we haven’t caught or prosecuted many speeders, it just seems to be when the traffic flow is lighter, that’s when people tend to pick up their speed.”