INVESTIGATIONS into the safety of a controversial shared-space crossing at Regent Circus are now scheduled to take place next week.

There have been numerous complaints about the crossing at the busy junction between Commercial Road, Regent Circus and Crombey Street since it was installed earlier this year.

Unlike traditional pedestrian crossings and traffic junctions, there are no road markings, traffic lights or even give-way signs to guide both drivers and pedestrians to manage the junction safely.

Instead road users are forced to use their powers of observation and common sense to judge whether or not it is safe to cross the shared space.

Last week there were concerns that the expected full review of the scheme would not take place until the entire site is up and running later this year, but now Coun Dale Heenan, the cabinet member for strategic planning and sustainability and transport, has confirmed the safety audit will now take place next week.

Coun Heenan said: “We all want a safe crossing at Regent Circus, and I am pleased that the safety audit which will review the crossing and recommend any changes to improve safety has been scheduled for next week.

“The naysayers who have been claiming that this audit would be delayed until the New Year have been proved wrong again.

“Planning permission for Regent Circus, including the road crossing, was agreed four years ago by a unanimous decision of the cross party planning committee but in the last couple of months people have come forward with concerns about the crossing.

“I have consistently said this safety audit will be independent of the council, independent of the developers and will be completely transparent. All the comments made by residents to the council have been sent to the auditor, and I will ensure the recommendations are acted on.

“Any changes will need to be paid for by the developer, not Swindon Council. But if the council steps in against the audit recommendations then it will be the council who needs to pay for the changes.”


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Coun Dave Wood (Lib Dem, Eastcott) said he was pleased that something was finally being done.

He said: “I think it’s great that the council has finally taken into account and listened to councillors and residents and pushed forward with this safety audit.

“If we were to have had months without investigating the crossing at Regent Circus then people would continue to be put at risk and that’s not something we want. So it’s good news the council have listened and the audit will take place next week.”


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