CALLS have been made to take urgent action to resurface the White Hart roundabout at Stratton.

Residents and drivers have complained of a number of potholes and craters appearing on the roundabout and claim the borough council has ruled out fully resurfacing the junction until the remodelling of the roundabout in 2020.

The line markings have also become faded with motorists uncertain about which lane they need to be in.

Stratton parish councillor and St Margaret & South Marston Labour candidate, Barrie Jennings, has demanded the council acts before the road surface gets worse.

He said: “The issue with the White Hart roundabout road surface has long been a problem and although the council does try to fill the potholes when they develop, they can’t keep up with them.

“It has been acknowledged that filling in the potholes is not a permanent solution. However, they are unwilling to make the roundabout fit for purpose until after they remodel it.”

Worried about the long term effects of such neglect, Coun Jennings added: “That could be in 2020 or beyond that. I don’t think residents should have to wait so long for a junction as busy as this one to be fixed.

“I would urge the council to listen to Stratton residents who are saying enough is enough and the roundabout should be made fit for purpose as soon as possible, not in a few years’ time.”

Last month, the government promised Swindon road chiefs £270,000 to tackle potholes. It was a share of a £100 million pot for councils to repair cracked road surfaces following the poor winter weather. Wiltshire Council was promised £1.8 million.

The grants have been allocated in a bid to help repair almost two million potholes up and down the country as well as help protect the roads from any future severe weather, the secretary said.

Addressing Coun Jennings’ concerns, borough council leader David Renard said: “The council is planning a major rebuilding of the White Hart roundabout as part of the New Eastern Villages and I am sure residents of Stratton do not want money spent resurfacing a junction just before then.”

Seeking to reassure residents and motorists, he added: “However, I will ask officers to make sure that repairing potholes at the roundabout is a high priority. I will ask officers to check the condition of Ermin Street as my administration is keeping this road open.”