Ref. 72999-02A ONE-WOMAN war is being waged on a busy road where Kathy Moore fears a child could be killed.

The mother-of-two wants to see safety improved in Grange Drive before tragedy strikes.

And she has been compiling a mass of information to back up her crusade. She has resurrected her campaign for road safety works.

Kathy Moore, an IT tutor at Swindon College, with the help of her friend Alison James, surveyed nearly 200 residents living in Grange Drive.

She found that 98 per cent saw the speed and volume of traffic using the road was a problem.

Despite the concerns of local residents, promises by the Department of Transport to install flashing safety signs have never been kept.

Mrs Moore has lived in Grange Drive for 22 years and claims at least two families have moved away because of the traffic chaos.

She now plans to use the survey data to highlight her fears at a public meeting.

"I understand money's tight but I think we must live in a politically incorrect area. Other areas in Swindon have had stuff done or even two bites at the cherry," said the 53-year-old.

"We've had very little done along one of the longest roads in Swindon. We have a school and when I see children running about I think it would take a split second for one of them to be hurt.

"Luckily we've had no serious accidents but must we wait until we have one before something is done?"

Evidence gathered from the consultation also revealed that only nine per cent were not in favour of some kind of road safety scheme in their area.

A Swindon Council survey also showed that the average speed along the road was 34mph and that about 4,200 cars pass through between 7am and 7pm on a typical working day.

To help clamp down on speeding drivers and people who use Grange Drive and nearby roads as rat runs, Mrs Moore would like to see a dedicated lane for buses and residential access built near local shops.

She would also like to see the introduction of the flashing signs and possibly a speed camera.

She said: "The average speed of 34mph means some people are doing 60, some people are doing 50 and some are doing 40."

Coun Chris Van Roon (Con), who represents the area, said he was keen to hear residents' views at the meeting which is due to be held on Friday, at the Stratton Community Leisure Centre, at 7.30pm.

"Speeding's a big problem along Grange Drive.

"I hope we can sort it out somehow," he said.

The long road

Nearly 200 forms were delivered to houses in Grange Drive.

Only 29 per cent were not returned.

98 per cent of people said there was a problem with the volume and speed of traffic in Grange Drive the average recorded speed is 34mph.

Only nine per cent of people said they were not in favour of a road safety scheme in their area.

Following pressure from residents, extra 30mph signs were put in place.

Kathy Moore's original campaign was backed by north Swindon MP Michael Wills.

But a promise by the Department of Transport to install flashing signs has not been kept.

Ben Payne