AN IMPRESSIVE response to a town plan survey for Cricklade has allowed residents to voice their opinions on traffic, crime, tourism and housing.

More than 700 individuals and businesses filled out the questionnaire, which was created by local residents on the Town Plan Steering Group.

The survey, which was available online and in paper format, came under criticism from some respondents who said questions were leading.

However, the results clearly showed that residents want more to be done to help improve the safety of their roads.

A total of 88 per cent of respondents said they would support asking the councils for the necessary investment to provide alternative routes for HGVs (other than deliveries) so that a 7.5 tonne weight limit can be put in place in Cricklade.

And 61 per cent of people said they would support more enforcement of the 20 mph speed limit in the town with many people commenting that the speed limit is ignored by most drivers.

And while the general feeling was that people wanted more to be done to improve the roads in the town, the majority of respondents felt that the traffic calming measures in High Street North and South and Purton Road had not made an overall improvement.

The questionnaire also asked respondents for their views on future plans for a cemetery. As the present cemetery is nearly full, residents were asked for their views on whether or not the town should seek permission or support of the church to investigate reopening St Sampson’s churchyard for further space or consider a natural burial ground.

Just over half of respondents said they would support the reopening of St Sampson’s and in a separate survey, just over half said they backed the idea of a natural burial ground.

Meanwhile, a future housing development question, which asked whether extending Reeds would protect Cricklade’s identity from a Swindon expansion prompted 72 comments, some of which branded it as leading.

Despite the confusion, the results were clear that an overwhelming majority (86 per cent) of local residents wanted to stop Cricklade from being swallowed up by Swindon.

And most agreed that the Reeds area to the north of the town would be the preferred option for necessary development.

The Town Plan Steering Group is totally independent of Wiltshire and Cricklade Town Councils but it has their support. The group can pass on the views of local people on important issues to the councils.

To view the full plan visit www.cricklade-tc.gov.uk.