Page 22 - link magazine

Residents’ organisations speak out
for Thamesdown Drive extension

A PUBLIC meeting organised by five Kevin Fisher, chair of Shaw
residents’ associations across North Residents’ Association added: “This
and West Swindon on 13 January road will take 5 to 10 years to
highlighted the need to complete complete, so a start must be made
the Thamesdown Drive to Great soon. If you think traffic congestion
Western Way link road. is bad now, imagine what the west
It followed the publication by side of the town will be like in ten
Swindon Council of a consultants’ years if the council and central
report in December to investigate government don’t get a grip on this
options to relieve traffic congestion project?”
on the west side of the town, which Council leader David Renard said:
sees daily gridlock on Akers Way “The Thamesdown Drive to Great
into the town centre, and Mead Western Way relief road is one of
Way in West Swindon. the great challenges that faces
Whilst completing Thamesdown Swindon.”
Drive is a desirable objective, the Cllr Dale Heenan, cabinet member
consultants say securing over £50 for transport, added: “Residents
million to build it will be difficult have had 20 years of promises by
and they suggested a number of politicians to build this road, and
other lower cost options including been let down every time. We will
turning all or parts of Akers Way and investigate what improvements can
Mead Way into dual carriageways. be made to the roads around West
In response to the public meeting, and North Swindon to reduce traffic
lobbying of councillors by residents congestion. But we disagree with
and the town’s two MPs, the council the recent feasibility study: we do
has set up a cross party Future not believe that dualling Mead Way
Infrastructure Working Group to or Akers Way is the answer.”
look at the transportation network The town’s MPs and their Labour The notional route
of the town, including extending opponents all back the need for a to link Thamesdown
Thamesdown Drive and building a western bypass. Read the full story Drive and Great
commuter railway station off Purton at www.swindonlink.com and please Western Way
Road, opposite Mouldon View. complete our survey opposite.

22 swindonlink.com n March 2015

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