RESIDENTS in Rodbourne who have been afflicted by terrible traffic problems around the Designer Outlet Village are unimpressed by Swindon Borough Council’s approach to the problem.

That’s the claim of Labour ward councillor Jim Robbins.

He told the council’s Scrutiny Committee that the plan noted by the authority’s cabinet last week didn’t go far enough and added: “I have asked residents in my ward and they’re not impressed. I posted it to the Facebook group Residents of Rodbourne Swindon, and more than 100, about 136 of them said this wasn’t going to help.”

Some of the responses on the Facebook group included one by Helen Reade. She wrote: “Anyone can produce a report. What makes a difference is implementing changes that make a positive difference. We are at a critical point in time that if we don’t address and resolve this problem that it will impact on the towns future development, income potential and more importantly towns profile. Act now!”

Another resident, Rachel Cowie wrote: “It’s been going on far too long and it’s just meeting after meeting. Not good, it needs sorting out with immediate action and with a commitment to review. More needs to be done!”

The cabinet member in charge of highways Coun Fionuala Foley said she shared Mr Robbins and the residents’ frustrations. She said: “I agree. I’m not happy with the situation. But the trouble is, a lot of this isn’t in our gift.

“The car park doesn’t belong to us. If it did, we’d have people out there at busy times making sure it was easier to get in. But it’s a private car park.”

Coun Foley said she had expressed her frustrations at meetings with management at McArthurGlen the company which owns the Outlet Village.

While the council is contemplating turning Rodbourne Road to access only on very busy days, and to remove the Church Plate bus gate to allow access to Bristol Street Car park Coun Foley said she’d like to see improvements to the Outlet Village’s car park.

She said: “I’d like to see automatic number plate recognition used so drivers don’t have to faff about waiting at the barrier and take a ticket.”

Coun Foley added: “We have to have the measures we can put in place ready by the Brick event on October 6 and 7.”

It was agreed that Highways officers would meet with ward councillors and then meet with residents to discuss the problem.

Coun Robbins said: “I went back to the residents to tell them, and they were pleased to hear that. There are many of them with good ideas about what can be done and it’s vital that their voices are heard.”

Previously Tina Cumpstey, manager at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon said: “ 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."