THE Labour Group has revealed a plan of action to get Swindon moving as roadworks continue to cause problems for Swindon motorists.

The opposition group wants council chiefs to make sure all work is co-ordinated with developers and utility companies to prevent delays.

And they also want to see bus lanes and gates in affected areas opened in advance.

However, council leaders have disputed this saying action to solve problems has been taken.

And they have criticised Labour for saying one thing in private and another in public.

Coun Mark Dempsey (Lab, Walcot and Park North) said: “The current road chaos in Swindon is deeply concerning. “A lack of planning by Swindon’s council, coupled with a failure to create a modern transport system means that traffic is now at gridlock. In short, under the Tories ‘Swindon is closed.’

“The chaos is causing massive frustration for motorists and doing damage to our town centre, as many people are being put off driving into Swindon.

“It is obvious that there has been a lack of planning of these roadworks.

“Better planning would have reduced the disruption and kept traffic moving. “ On Monday, the Polaris Way Bus Gate was opened up to ease congestion along Great Western Way.

This has drawn criticism in some quarters as it is close to where the cabinet member for transport, Coun Dale Heenan, (Con, Covingham and Dorcan) works.

In an open letter, Coun Jim Robbins (Lab, Mannington and Western) said: “His plan to open the bus gate at Polaris Way may seem reasonable until you learn that, according to Dale's LinkedIn profile, he works at Polaris House.

“That’s right, Dale’s major contribution to the massive traffic issues is to make sure that he has a clear route home.

“Still, we’re all in it together.”

This accusation has been disputed by Coun Heenan.

“Having been involved from the start, Labour’s plan to solve the current roadwork issues is laughably based on urging more people to cycle and to build a £50m road to the very place where the roadworks are happening,” he said.

“Coun Jim Robbins is only interested in throwing mud and spreading incorrect information to create doubt.

“Labour have decided to go on the attack in public, yet are two-faced in private since they have provided their written support to help in any way they can.

“Due to its importance, I escalated the review of every bus gate and bus lane to the leaderand the chief executive of Swindon Council, and they agreed to open up Polaris Way since it was the easiest one to do and had bus company support.

“Residents might like to know that Labour councillors oppose opening up locations like Ferndale Road, and that the three ward councillors responsible for the Bruce Street Bridges area are all Labour.”