DRIVERS taking shortcuts through a bus lane in town are infuriating residents who say it is an accident waiting to happen.

People in Upham Road have complained about motorists ignoring signs and going through a section of the road which is only supposed to be used by buses and coaches.

The junction between Upham Road and Queens Drive has several signs stating that no cars are allowed through.

But according to resident Adrian Crafer, drivers aren’t paying attention to it.

To add to the problem, he reckons some people are even breaking the speed limit to avoid being caught despite the road going past Churchfields secondary school.

Adrian said: “The signs have been changed a number of times over the year but drivers are not paying a blind bit of notice to them, or they are coming up not knowing but going through any way.

“What we want is a no entry sign or some barriers to be put up.

“It’s amazing vehicles use this way and then put their foot down so they don’t get caught.

“With the school there it would be no surprise if there was a fatal accident soon.

“There needs to be a better deterrent like a camera, otherwise people are going to keep doing it.”

Coun Peter Mallinson (Con, Walcot) said that it had been an issue for a number of years and they were trying their best to address the residents’ concerns.

He said: “This issue comes up at the local meetings that we have every six weeks.

“We have had the signs changed and people know that they are breaking the law, but it is a long way round otherwise so they chance it.

“It can only be enforced by the police, but that is difficult unless we put a camera up – but that costs money.

“There are two options: we either accept that people need to go that way and make it a right of way, or make sure we enforce it better so that people don’t use it.

A spokesman for the council added: “The council have just completed a survey of all the bus gates in Swindon to see if there are any issues.

“Last year the signage was upgraded to make sure the restriction was clearer.

“In terms of enforcement that is something the police would be in charge of and I know they have been working closely on this.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said they had not received any calls from members of the public about the problem.