THE mayor of Swindon, Derek Benfield, has spoken out about the latest plans for the controversial speed humps in Covingham Drive.

The Covingham community has been split by the speed humps issue.

Many people welcome them but others are calling for them to be torn up.

But now there are plans to remove them.

Councillor Derek Benfield (Lab, Covingham and Nythe), who lives in Hawkswood, Covingham, fears this could spell disaster if replacement restrictions are not brought in immediately.

Coun Benfield said: "Everyone agreed this needed action.

"We've been waiting a long time to sort the speed humps out.

"But someone has to take responsibility to ensure an alternative scheme is put in place immediately.

"If there is an accident between the one set of humps being ripped out and the next being put in, then don't come knocking at my door.

"There will be no blood on my hands.

"If people want them taken out then that's fine but I have stated clearly that an alternative must go in. It is totally irresponsible otherwise."

More than 100 angry residents packed Swindon Council chamber in September last year to demand the removal of the humps.

Ward councillor Glenn Smith (Con, Covingham and Nythe) said: "It was decided the humps should be removed.

"I am not yet in a position to know whether there will be an overlap.

"In an ideal world, the humps will come out as the new restrictions come in.

"We are now waiting for a report to decide how the residents' ideas on other speed restrictions could be implemented."

Ever since the ten humps that line the half-mile stretch were installed in March 2003 they have generated heated debate.

Residents are not against the measures to slow traffic but said the humps were a nuisance to road users, did little to reduce car speeds, damaged vehicles and aggravated back complaints.

Petitions were raised calling for their removal.

They cost almost £130,000 to install.

Resident and anti-road hump campaigner Julieanne Mason said: "There has to be an alternative put in place.

"I sincerely hope the taking out and re-installing is co-ordinated, otherwise it has been a pointless exercise.

"We need better safety measures and we have got better options other than the humps."

Covingham Drive used to be one of the fastest 30mph roads in Swindon and residents claim it was used as a "rat run" between the A419 and the A420.

In the past five years there have been 52 injuries from road accidents in the Covingham area, four of which were classed as serious.

Alternatives could be flashing lights to slow down speeding drivers, signs and pedestrian crossings.

Ioan Rees, the head of transportation services at Swindon Council, said: "There are plans to put in speed-responsive signs as well as an extra pedestrian refuge.

"We do not know yet whether this will happen at the same time as the cushions being taken out. We will consider this most carefully."