Swindon council is poised to give the go-ahead for the speed limit on one of the town's busiest roads, should a report be backed by councillors next week.

A proposal to reduce the limit on Queens Drive will be discussed by Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet on Wednesday, February 7.

But if plans are approved next week, a public consultation will first be carried out.

Collisions often occur on the route – the most recent saw a driver crash into traffic lights at the Co-op near Drakes Way roundabout and its debris narrowly missed a child walking nearby.

Last February, councillors supported calls for additional road safety measures to be introduced on the stretch of road between Whitbourne Avenue and Drakes Way because children cross the carriageway while on their way to school.

After this motion passed, the local authority commissioned a study to examine speed data and collision rates along the dual carriageway, the results of which would inform recommendations about how to address concerns about the amount of road traffic accidents.

Detailed analysis of average speeds along Queens Drive highlighted that most drivers do travel within the posted 40mph speed limit, which suggests that it is viewed by motorists as appropriate to the road conditions.

The report suggested that lower speeds may help to reduce the severity of any collisions and improve driver response times at crossings and indicated that there is a case for reducing the speed limit to 30mph north of the Whitbourne Avenue junction.

The study showed that 37 collisions happened on Queens Drive between February 2018 and January 2023 – three were classed as serious, 34 were recorded as slight, and none were fatal.

Of the 47 casualties recorded, 12 were children and three were aged over 60. Nine accidents involved 12 pedestrians, while four accidents involved cyclists and five accidents involved motorcycles.

Although average speeds are within the posted limits, speed has been identified by Wiltshire Police as a contributing factor in 22 per cent of collisions.

The report highlighted that the pedestrian crossing at New College Drive needs to be reviewed and that the road south of the Drakes Way roundabout lacks a suitable place for people to cross.

If the cabinet agrees to implement a reduced speed limit between Whitbourne Avenue, near New College, and the roundabout, a public consultation will be carried out before the change is made.

Additional signage would also be provided to highlight the reduced speed limit and the existing pedestrian crossing points.

Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “We want to make our roads as safe as possible for both pedestrians and motorists and that is especially true of Queens Drive, which is one of Swindon’s busiest strategic arterial routes.

“Councillors were very concerned about recent collisions along Queens Drive when considering the number of pupils who regularly cross the road to get to neighbouring schools, which is why the motion calling for the reduction in the speed limit received such strong support across the Chamber.

“The study, which the council commissioned, analysed speed and collision data and I’m pleased it concurred with councillors that a reduction in the speed limit would help to reduce the severity of any collisions and improve driver response times at crossings.

“I hope my Cabinet colleagues will support the proposed changes to the speed limit on this part of Queens Drive and will also be supportive of our plans to look at the other end of the road between Coate Water and Whitbourne Avenue to see if any further road safety improvements can be made there following the recent decommissioning of the two subways.”