Plans to create a new 20mph zone in Swindon have entered the final stage, and could soon become a reality.
The plans, submitted by Swindon Borough Council, propose turning the speed limit on 17 roads in the South Marston area to 20mph.
If approved, the change will be made by March 2028 at the latest.
Official documents submitted by the council state that this is to "minimise the risk of collisions occurring and to ensure that when collisions do occur, the impacts are unlikely to result in death or serious injury."
Old Vicarage Road, Nightingale Lane, Thornhill Road, Highworth Road, Ash Gardens, Bell Gardens, Bryon Court, Chapel Lane , Manor Park, Fuller Gardens, Greenfields, Manor Meadows, Manor Park, Quarrybrook Close, Rawlings Close, St Julian’s Close and Yew Tree Gardens will all be affected.
Councillor Matthew Vallender, who represents South Marston and Stratton St Margaret, has now confirmed that the proposal for the 20mph zone has reached the final stage of legal consultation.
Consultation will continue until February 27, 2026, and a final decision is set to be made after that.
"I’m also glad to see Swindon Borough Council Highways has taken my suggestion and residents’ feedback on board and extended the zone slightly to include all the housing on Thornhill Road and Highworth Road up to the allotments, to make better use of existing signage and chicanes," he said.
"The finalised plans will be on display at the Have Your Say event in the Village Hall on the 18th February 4.00-6.30pm."
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Thornhill Road, which has previously been declared a 40mph HGV 'rat-run', is one of the 17 roads set to have its speed limit reduced.
Concerns were previously raised about safety on the road when a college bus taking South Marston students to Cirencester College was diverted back in November 2017, leaving students to walk along the unlit country lane.
There is no pavement along the route, blind bends, and it is known to be susceptible to flooding, making parts of the road impassable at times.
“Telling South Marston teenagers to trudge a mile down an unlit HGV rat-run in winter is not a 'solution', it’s a decision to ignore their safety," Councillor Vallender previously told the Swindon Advertiser.
"To tell teenagers to walk twenty minutes in the dark, with no pavement and construction traffic thundering past, is frankly indefensible."
It's hoped that a 20mph speed limit will help to reduce the risk of crashes across large parts of South Marston, including this road.
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