THE editorial and article on the Coate Development Panel Report must have been read with deep foreboding by residents of Parks, Lawns, Old Town and Walcot who bear the brunt of the traffic going back and forth to that area.

All the debates over recent months have centred on Coate Water environment itself, totally ignoring the knock-on infrastructure problems arising for South Swindon if such plans as presently envisaged go ahead.

There has been an increase of 40 per cent traffic over the past three years in these areas, mainly due to the building of the Great Western Hospital and New College and a prolific expansion in private and social housing.

It has all added another 4,00-5,000 cars a day and required new traffic lights leading to idling engine pollution.

Just to cope with the numbers alone generated by the Coate plan, Marlborough Road would have to be dualled (where possible) and Queens Drive clearwayed all through (bus lanes out) as a bare minimum requirement.

South Swindon residents will expect their councillors and MP to voice and vote in their best interests, irrespective of Party lines, developers' free promises, blackmail threats of pulling out and any other tricks and treats offered.

Let's not have another sell out, stick to honourable benefits for all and a solution will be found despite the problems.

BRIAN SMITH

Queens Drive