Calls for CCTV at ‘dangerous’ crossing near Swindon school

The Change.org petition was first launched after a family was nearly involved in a crash during the school run when a car drove through a red traffic light on Cheney Manor Road.

The mother, who wishes to remain anonymous due to her profession, believes that speeding and careless driving is a common issue on Cheney Manor Road, and told the Adver that this is the third incident like this she has heard about from her child’s class.

“Parents of children who attend Rodbourne Cheney School and local residents have voiced their concerns about the danger posed by cars not stopping at the traffic lights on Cheney Manor Road outside Farmfoods,” she said.

“There is a real fear that someone will be killed at this location unless something is done to improve safety.”

The Rodbourne Cheney mother told the Adver that she reported the incident to Wiltshire Police shortly after it happened, but no further action was taken due to insufficient evidence.

Several Rodbourne Cheney parents have complained about near misses at the crossing next to Farmfoods (Image: Google Maps)

This concerned mother is not the only one who believes that Cheney Manor Road is a danger hotspot for school children and their families.

Local resident Sharon Northcott's son Tristan was hit by a car at the same crossing in November 2023.

“Both of my children have nearly been knocked over on several occasions and on one of those occasions a car made contact with my son,” she told the Adver.

“The pelican should not be that close to a roundabout but also as a driver, particularly at school drop off time, at speed.

“It is a horrible roundabout and drivers need to be more careful, particularly around a school like that.

“I have seen other near misses where cars just don’t bother stopping at all.”

Both mothers believe that a CCTV camera at the crossing would make the situation safer for all school children who use it on a daily basis.

“Then if the camera catches a car driving through a red light this would go directly to the police system resulting in correct punishment," said the anonymous mother.

“Also if people are aware that there is a CCTV system in place, they might pay more attention to driving.

“At the end of the day, it is a busy school zone and we urgently need to do something in order to improve the safety of those who are using this crossing.”

At the time of writing, the petition has received 45 signatures from concerned residents, and locals hope to raise the issue to the attention of Swindon Borough Council.