residents have demanded highways officers redesign the access to a controversial housing development, describing it as too dangerous.

Swindon Council's planning committee gave the thumbs up for plans to build more than 250 homes on the St Joseph's RC Upper School site in Nythe Road last week.

But residents and Coun Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham and Nythe), claim the current access to the site, off Piccadilly Roundabout on Dorcan Way, is an accident waiting to happen.

New road markings were put down on the road off Wagtail Close last week.

Residents, who met council planning and highways officers yesterday, say the lanes are too narrow and almost resulted in two collisions over the last few days.

"The residents believe it is going to be a problem," said Coun Dilley. "The new road is more like a chicane.

"Cars are coming round the roundabout and cutting straight across the corner.

"The residents only recently noticed there was going to be a major problem after they put the curbs in last week, but I don't think it is safe and I want the council to do something."

Developers George Wimpey resubmitted proposals to build 258 new homes on the current school site after reducing the number of flats from 131 to 113, resulting in an increase in the amount of parking.

But residents feel let down that the plans, which were changed after the council rejected them in August, have now got the go-ahead.

And Leslie Thompson, of Wagtail Close, claims the access road is more proof of a lack of consultation with existing residents.

She said: "You have to take into account all the building work which will be going on. I won't feel safe trying to turn right into Wagtail Close with a big lorry on my inside.

"We get presented with all these drawings and plans and they seem okay, but it's only when they start building you begin to see what the impact will be."

Brian Osbourn, 58, of Tawny Owl Close, added: "I can't get my Primera in that lane to turn right, so what chance has a large vehicle got?

"There have been two near head-on collisions here, so what is going to happen when you've got 200 vehicles coming out of the new estate?

"There will be accidents."

Council officers have promised residents they will review the new junction over the coming months.