PEOPLE-power in Covingham has led to Swindon Council ignoring its own traffic calming taskforce when deciding what to do with roads in the area.

Ever since the speed cushions were installed in Covingham Drive residents have been campaigning for their removal.

In December 2003 the council agreed to remove the speed humps, known as Berlin cushions, at a cost of £8,000.

And this week the council agreed to a host of new traffic calming features being installed at a total cost of £44,000.

However, it meant ignoring the council's traffic calming taskforce which asked the council's cabinet to defer its decision until next month when the group is due to present its findings on traffic calming.

Labour councillors have accused the Tories of electioneering, but ward councillor Glenn Smith said: "These results have come about through listening to what the people want.

"Residents have requested these measures and we are here to represent them.

"The residents have said for some time that they want the Berlin cushions removed, so that is what should happen."

The council distributed 2,000 questionnaires to residents in Covingham.

More than 1,110 were returned and the results showed that 86 per cent did not want the present traffic calming schemes to remain.

The most popular options were keeping the 20mph speed limit, installing speed cameras, providing signs warning drivers that they are going too fast and putting in pedestrian crossings.

This week the council decided to add two pedestrian refuges on Covingham Drive, one along King-fisher Drive, and two vehicle activated signs on Covingham Drive.

They will also put in a zebra crossing along Kingfisher Drive.

Julieanne Mason, of Cheriton Close, has been protesting about the speed cushions for months.

She said: "I think the new traffic calming features the council has in store are fantastic, just so long as they are put in at the same time as the Berlin cushions are taken out."

Coun Maureen Dilley (Lab, Covingham and Nythe) said: "It is irresponsible of the Tories to introduce these features without fully considering their impact.

"The Tories are introducing these measures to gain publicity for the June elections, rather than for the good of local road users.

"The Traffic Calming Task Group is being ignored at a time when its findings could contribute to a proper review of safety measures across the borough."

Emma-Kate Lidbury