PEOPLE living on a steep street in Swindon have relaunched a campaign to stop lorries squeezing through their road.

Prospect Hill residents are calling for measures to stop lorries hitting their cars as they drive up the hill.

There are also concerns that emergency vehicles would struggle to drive along the road.

Parking is banned at the bottom of the hill in Old Town, Swindon, which deceives drivers into believing that the narrow road is wider than it is.

When they round the curve of the road there are often cars parked on both sides and many lorries either get stuck or hit the parked cars.

One of the residents, Peter Green, said: “The whole street was out complaining when a van hit the car at No 10.’’ Peter and fellow residents Toby Robinson and Sue Rischmiller began their campaign last Christmas.

They approached Swindon Council and were advised to circulate a letter to all the houses on Prospect Hill. They had 23 questionnaires returned with 30 incidents reported, ranging from broken wing mirrors to dented body work.

Resident Bernie McEntee said: “On two separate occasions in the past four years my house been hit by such six-wheeled beasts.’’ One van driver who was driving up the hill had to stop half way and walk the rest of the way with his delivery. Gary Fry, a driver with Night Freight, in Pucklechurch, said: “With cars parked on both sides there is no access for us or emergency services.

“Prospect Hill needs signposts saying narrow road.’’ The residents contacted Coun Peter Greenhalgh, the cabinet member with transport responsibilities.

Mr Green said: “The cabinet member got a senior official to walk the course and he agreed with our solutions which are to extend the residents parking towards Cross Street on both sides of the hill making it obvious how narrow it is, and place narrow street signs at the bottom of the hill.’’ Coun David Wood, (Eastcott) has thrown his support behind the residents’ plans.

He said: “The council has made a commitment under the present budget but in October there will be a new budget so I am looking to see that this can go ahead.’’ A Swindon Council spokesman said: “Residents’ concerns were brought to our attention following discussions with the town centre cluster representatives – the council’s Connecting People Connecting Places initiative to have more meaningful engagement with people and communities.

“We now recognise that lorries travelling along Prospect Hill may not be aware that the road becomes narrow.

“We have agreed to find a solution to address this and are currently exploring the options.

“We will keep residents informed of any developments via the cluster representatives.”