Public's view sought on planned Kingshill Road HGV ban

People are being asked what they think about plans to prevent heavy goods vehicles from using Kingshill Road.

The aim of the plan is to improve air quality for local people.

Swindon Borough Council is currently consulting on a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that would introduce a 7.5-tonne weight limit for vehicles using Kingshill Road between the B4289 Westcott Place and Okus Road junctions. 

The restrictions would be in place at all times and vehicles weighing more than the weight limit would only be allowed access if making deliveries to homes in the area.

Cllr Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Partnerships, said: “While Swindon’s air quality is generally good and improving, Kingshill is an area of concern which is why it remains a designated Air Quality Management Area.

“We’ve got an action plan in place to reduce the levels of harmful emissions, and this includes a Traffic Regulation Order for HGVs using the road.

“We’re committed to making Swindon a greener place to live, and improving the quality of air in and around the Borough is an important part of that mission.

“I’d like to encourage everyone, from residents to local businesses, to give their valuable feedback so we can make sure we get this right for everyone.”

While in general Swindon’s air quality is good, and improving, back in 2018 the council detected high levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions along Kingshill Road and declared Kingshill an Air Quality Management Area. 

The poor air quality on Kingshill Road is considered to be the result of multiple factors, one of which is the exhaust emissions from larger vehicles using the road.

As Kingshill Road itself is on a steep incline, with houses and trees on each side, its unusual topography means the road is sheltered from winds that might help disperse harmful emissions.

Last December, the council’s Cabinet approved a Kingshill Air Quality Action Plan which included a proposal to introduce a TRO imposing a weight restriction on vehicles using the road, to help reduce harmful emissions by around five per cent. 

The most recent survey conducted by the council suggests that an average of 120 HGV journeys per day would be affected by the proposed weight limit. 

The alternative routes for heavy good vehicles would include Great Western Way, County Road and Drove Road. 

There is capacity on these alternative routes to accommodate the relatively small number of diverted HGVs, without resulting in a noticeable change in the local environment in these areas. 

The consultation is open until 9 August. The full TRO can be inspected here.