Bosses at Swindon's Designer Outlet Village must help to try and sort out traffic problems in the neighbouring streets.

That was the message from Councillor Fionuala Foley, cabinet member for highways and environment at Swindon Borough Council.

Coun Foley and her colleagues at the authority’s Conservative cabinet were discussing proposals to try and sort out the difficulties caused for residents in Rodbourne by traffic congestion - often generated by shoppers trying to get into the shopping centre.

Presenting plans to try making Rodbourne Road one-way, northbound, when there are big events at the centre or at Steam Museum, Coun Foley said: “This is quite frustrating.

“These problems are not of our doing, and not quite in this council’s powers to solve.

"They are a consequence of the success of the Outlet Village.

”I’ve met with the managers at the Outlet Village and I want them to work with us to help sort this out.”

As well as the change to Rodbourne Road, changes have already been made to Kemble Drive, with one lane for cars heading to the centre’s north car park and the other for through traffic.

Another proposal agreed by cabinet will be to remove the Church Place bus gate to allow access to the Bristol Street car park.

Labour councillor for Mannington and Western Jim Robbins asked for increased visibility of parking wardens at weekends.

He said: “People wait on the double yellow lines on Kemble Drive and it’s constantly blocked by parked traffic. We need more enforcement to stop people doing that.”

Coun Robbins also asked for the Bristol Street car park to be suggested as an alternative to shoppers – he said: “Tell them it’s much easier, and much quicker to get to.”

He added: “We like having the Outlet Village, we’re glad it’s doing well.”

Coun Foley responded: “It’s got to be a good neighbour.”

Bosses at the Designer Outlet centre said they wanted to co-operate with the council to ease the issue.

Centre manager Tina Cumpstey said: “We are committed to delivering the best possible experience for our customers and are always working to ensure the community is our priority.

“McArthurGlen Swindon’s traffic management team is working closely with Swindon Borough Council to find a solution for periods of increased traffic in the local area, as seen with the introduction of a dual-lane leading to our north car park on Kemble Drive.”