A CALL has been made to remove a pinch point on a key road in Haydon Wick, which local people say holds up traffic and is not safe.

The problem is in Thames Avenue, just outside the Haydon Centre, where the road narrows to one lane in two places, leading to lengthy hold-ups during busy periods.

Due to its proximity to Morrisons and the leisure centre, it is also a part of the road where people cross most often.

The problem is exacerbated because there are two bus stops, on opposite sides of the road, just before the pinch point.

This has been the case for almost 25 years, since the road was constructed.

Now, with more houses being built, Haydon Wick Parish Council says the problem is getting worse.

It has conducted a survey with nearby residents and is set to ask for something to be done.

The parish council’s communications chairman, Richard Hailstone, said: “What we want to see is a clear pedestrian crossing.

“As it stands, people think there is a crossing, because the road is raised, when, in fact, there isn’t.

“We sent out 2,500 leaflets to nearby houses and received just over 250 back, with 80 per cent saying they wanted to see something done.

“It is not only dangerous, but holds traffic up. We want to see the road widened, with a clear and raised zebra crossing.

“We would also like to see the bus stops moved, so they don't hold traffic up.”

Fellow parish councillor Ed Gerrard said: “We recently had traffic backing all the way up to Thamesdown Drive; it was that bad.

“We believe the route was initially intended to be bus only. The layout of the roads was changed, but this wasn’t.”

The parish council is compiling responses to the survey and will present the final results to Swindon Borough Council before Christmas.

Borough councillor David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) has spent a number of years working to have the road altered.

But he says that, while he wants to see the scheme approved, as the council leader it is his role to ensure funds are allocated fairly.

He said: “It is something I have campaigned for over the past three years. There is a real problem, especially in the morning and around school pick-up time. It needs to be made safer and quicker.

“As with all these schemes, they have to be prioritised and this isn’t a priority.

“It needs to be evaluated properly, so it can be funded.

Thamesdown Transport, which runs a number of services through the pinch point, has said it is prepared to look at the case, but that it is important for users to still be able to access the buses.

Paul Jenkins, the managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said: “We are aware of the discussions taking place about the traffic calming measures on Thames Avenue, between Morrisons and the Haydon Centre.

“We are happy to look at the bus stop locations as part of this review, but it is important that convenient and safe access to these destinations is maintained for bus users.”