Ref. 29523-47CYCLISTS and walkers shouldn't have too many problems working out where to go when visiting Covingham.

For the recently opened footpath and cycle track in Dorcan Way is now home to no less than 16 signposts on just a 200 yard stretch.

And residents couldn't believe their eyes when they first saw the signs, complaining that the council is intent on wasting taxpayers' money.

The footpath and cycle track is between Covingham Drive and King-fisher Drive.

In one short stretch, there are 16 signposts advising the public of its existence.

Donald and Doreen Chinnery of Fieldfare, Covingham, were out for their daily stroll last week when they first discovered the signposts.

"We couldn't believe our eyes," said Doreen, 64.

"It's council madness. You'd have to be silly not to know it's a cycle path. You certainly don't need to be told 16 times."

Mr and Mrs Chinnery, who have lived in Covingham for nearly 40 years, were not the only ones to notice.

Mr Chinnery, 65, said: "Lots of our neighbours pointed them out too. They just look ridiculous.

"In view of the constant waste of council tax and the necessary increases we are all facing, we must wonder who could have planned the obviously unnecessary work involved.

"I would have thought that just one sign either end of the track, along with the white line separating the two, would have been sufficient."

Mr and Mrs Chinnery's neighbours, Nick and Maria Hayward, are equally concerned about council spending.

Mrs Hayward, 32, a mother-of-three, said: "They seemed to be working on the path for quite a while and then all of a sudden these signs popped up.

"There seems to be one every two or three steps. It's crazy. I really think the council has better things to spend its money on.

"What about education?"

A Swindon council spokesperson said: "Road safety regulations mean that there is a statutory duty to provide signage wherever a footpath merges with a shared footpath/cycle path and where road junctions are in close proximity to a cycle path.

"This area has a high number of junctions and paths that spur off the cycle path so while it may look like the signage is excessive, it is necessary to fulfil safety regulations."

This section of cycle path is just one part of a larger scheme that is ongoing and when completed will go from Dorcan Way to Faraday Road at a cost of about £450,000.

The spokesperson added: "It is very important to note that it is not taxpayers' money being used, but money from central government allocated for local transport strategies and so could not be used elsewhere."

According to the council Swindon is at the forefront of creating cycle networks and has one of the most extensive networks of any major town or city in the country.

The residents of Covingham are no strangers to campaigning when it comes to their roads. Last September, more than 100 residents descended on the Swindon Council chambers to demand the removal of speed humps along Covingham Drive.

The humps are now set to be removed.

Emma-Kate Lidbury