Unhappy residents in the Queensfield estate in Upper Stratton are sick of the high volume of non-residential traffic using their streets as a shortcut to avoid Cricklade Road and the Moonrakers roundabout. This happens at all times of day but is worse at rush hour and around school drop-off times, This has been an issue for many years but has increased dramatically with the Moonrakers junction roadworks. As a residential area, it is not designed for the volume and speed of through traffic, and these are a nuisance and hazard to the people who live there. Residents are now asking Swindon Borough Council to act and with the help of their Councillor, Claire Crilly, have signed a petition. This will be presented to Kevin Parry, the Council Cabinet member for transport.
When the Moonrakers project began 18 months ago, traffic levels dramatically increased through Queensfield as drivers chose to use residential roads to avoid congestion on Cricklade Road. As well as increased traffic, residents also had to contend with queuing cars and vans and the resulting increase in pollution when CityFibre were allowed to carry out work alongside that at the Moonrakers.
The problem may have been reduced by the Moonrakers re-opening fully to motor traffic, but residents sense this is not the case. Amazon Prime delivery vans now seem to be using the route extensively, since they recently started using the former Groundwell park and ride site as a base. Residents feel that sufficient time has passed for traffic to return to its normal pattern, and the Council now need to do something to improve the situation.
Penhill and Upper Stratton councillor, Claire Crilly, has consulted residents to gather their opinions and a petition has been drawn up. This calls on Swindon Borough Council to review the traffic situation in Queensfield to ensure that the area is no longer used as a rat run. The petition asks that, now that the Moonrakers roadworks are completed, the Council should look again at all potential traffic measures. This is needed to improve the lives of residents of Queensfield, by reducing in the volume of traffic, which in turn will reduce the amount of car emissions, improve air quality throughout the estate. This will also make the roads in Queensfield safer for residents.
