A REQUEST that the council form a cross-party advisory group to tackle the traffic chaos in Rodbourne has been dismissed.

Labour councillors for Mannington and Western tabled a motion calling on the council to address the gridlock nightmare that frequently blights the Rodbourne area by setting up a cross-party cabinet member action group.

But the Conservatives have dismissed the request, calling it “unnecessary”.

For months now, people in Rodbourne have claimed to be unable to leave their homes at the weekend due to the amount of traffic heading to the Outlet Centre.

Things have become so bad that some businesses in the area are afraid they may have to close.

Robert Gosling, of Ron’s Stores in Rodbourne Road, said: “The biggest problem is the majority of our customers can’t get to us because of the severe traffic that we’re experiencing over the holiday period due to the outlet village. It’s massively affected businesses here.”

With this in mind, Labour councillors Kevin Small, Steph Exell and Jim Robbins have for months been urging the council to act, setting out a list of possible solutions.

Coun Small said: “This is getting beyond a joke now. Something needs to be done for the people of Rodbourne.”

He said he was not in favour of opening the bus lane to cars in Penzance Drive. He suggested solutions such as the creation of another lane in Kemble Drive and the widening of the entrances to the Outlet Centre’s car parks.

He added: “Can I make it clear that Rodbourne is not against the Outlet Village. But that doesn’t mean that people in Rodbourne should suffer. I believe we can come up with alternatives.”

But Councillor Mary Martin, cabinet member of communities and place, dismissed Labour’s motion.

She said: “It is a fact of life that traffic levels are rising and placing increasing demands on the road network, not just in Swindon.

“We are very lucky in Swindon that we have a strong economy, a booming retail destination in the Outlet Village, a brilliant offer in Steam and the regeneration of the town centre is underway.

“I do not propose to support the motion. Opposition members meet with highways officers, they have the opportunity to input and are fully aware of the mitigation that is discussed in the working group with Steam, the Outlet Village and local retailers.”

The Outlet Centre have conformed that they are working with the borough council to find a solution.

Centre manager Tina Cumpstey said: “We are committed to delivering the best possible experience for our customers and are always working to ensure the community is our priority.

“The Swindon Designer Outlet traffic management team is working closely with the Swindon Borough Council and the highways agency to agree on the most appropriate solution for periods of increased traffic.”