MEASURES to improve safety along a notorious stretch of road in Swindon will soon be unveiled and they are expected to spark controversy.

Proposals for Pinehurst Road will go on display at a public meeting which Swindon Council hopes to hold in the spring.

Although no details have been released they are expected to include better lighting, improved signs and speed cushions.

Coun Jemima Milton, lead member for transport, said the plans would mark the beginning of a safer future for motorists but she accepts they will not please everybody.

She said: "We want people to come along to the meeting but we realise there will be some who will be happy with the proposals and some that won't be.

"At the end of the day we are doing this to save lives and stop any other families getting caught up in tragedy.

"We will be putting in features to slow motorists down because not everybody will stick to 20mph."

The area has seen 71 casualties over the past five years, eight of which were serious, including 19-year-old Matthew Styles who died after a crash last June.

Swindon Council is introducing a 20mph speed limit in the area and is trying to identify ways to ensure that it is strictly enforced.

About 350 people either sent in their views about the scheme on consultation forms or attended an exhibition.

Last year, Matthew's mum, Anne, and the local authority were disgusted with people's apathy after only a handful of consultation forms were returned to the council.

Although many residents complained they had not received the forms in the first place.

But now many residents, including Mrs Styles, say they would welcome any proposals which made the road safer and help prevent further deaths.

In the Pinehurst area, the council has recorded traffic travelling at speeds as high as 51mph in Beech Avenue, 50mph in Northern Road and 44mph in Pinehurst Road all of which are 30mph zones.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: "We are certain that by reducing speeds, we will help to reduce the number of accidents."

Last month 36-year-old Gary Huckin was jailed for five years after he pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mathew by dangerous driving.

The smash left passenger Michael McCann in a wheelchair.

Ben Payne