77448-187THE crumbling road surface on a North Swindon estate is finally set to be repaired. Swindon Council has agreed to resurface Queensfield, off Cricklade Road, this year.

And residents are delighted the road which they say has only been re-surfaced once since the estate was built in the early 1960s is finally getting the attention it needs.

But they say something also needs to be done to stop people using Queens-field as a rat run between Cricklade Road and Hyde Road.

Ann Jones, who lives on Queensfield, said: "I asked them to do it the year before last but they said it was not a priority."

But Mrs Jones, 50, said she would also like to see humps put in at the entrance to the road.

Betty Surma, 72, also of Queensfield, added: "We've been here since the estate was built and it has only been done once."

The council has included resurfacing Queensfield in its programme for this financial year but anticipates the work will be carried out before winter, probably in September.

Coun Debbie Baylies (Con, St Philip) pushed for something to be done.

"When we knock on doors in the Queensfield area it is that one thing that has come up again and again," she said.

"The roads are the worst in Swindon. I have spoken to the transport department about it and finally something's being done. I've been chasing action on this issue since I was first elected.

"I am delighted we will finally see these crumbling roads repaired.

"This is good news for the people of Queens-field."

Coun Baylies said she was also talking to the transport department about what could be done about the road being used as a rat run.

Fellow ward councillor Philip Sharp (Con, St Philip) urged residents to be patient.

"There will be one or two concerns because of the inconvenience that road works cause.

"I think people will understand that in the long term it needs to be done and it will be a benefit," he said.

Isabel Field