The speed limit near a Swindon school has been reduced and new parking added, as part of several new traffic calming measures.
As of May 2026, multiple changes have been made to the roads near Coate Water Country Park, in an effort to improve safety and access.
One of the most significant changes is a new speed limit on Day House Lane, where the speed has now been halved.
The lane connects Marlborough Road to the Richard Jeffries Museum and Badbury Park Primary School, and is used daily by families, tourists, cyclists and runners.
It was previously under the national speed limit, but has now been dropped to 30mph.
Dedicated parking spaces have now been added at the entrance of Day House Lane, near to the Richard Jeffries Museum, and it's hoped that these will help manage the traffic and parking situation.
A new paved path also links Marlborough Road directly to Swindon's Richard Jeffries Museum, replacing a previous worn grass verge used by pedestrians and cyclists.
A spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council explained: "We’ve made improvements to the entrance at Day House Lane to make visiting the Richard Jefferies Museum easier and safer for everyone.
"A new paved path now links Marlborough Road directly to the museum, replacing the worn grass verge and providing a safer, more accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists
"Dedicated parking spaces have been added to protect grass verges from damage and help manage parking at the site
"Traffic calming measures have also been introduced, including a reduced 30mph speed limit, to improve road safety - particularly for families travelling to and from Badbury Park Primary School."
These latest improvements mark continued change to the road next to the Richard Jeffries Museum, which is dedicated to remembering the life and work of the Victorian Swindon-born nature writer.
In April 2026, a large sign blocking the museum was finally removed by the council after a debate over whether the road sign was overshadowing the town's heritage.
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Speaking with this paper the day after the sign’s removal, Mike Pringle, volunteer-director at the Richard Jefferies’ Museum, said it was a big step in the right direction when it comes to looking out for the town’s heritage.
Mr Pringle said: “For us it’s about the fact that for all these years, the museum has been hidden behind that sign, this lovely thatch farmhouse. Now the sight of an old farmhouse offers a very different view for people coming into Swindon.
“It feels like the council is acknowledging Swindon’s heritage and saying come on we can do a little bit more to help.”
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