NOISE caused by articulated trucks hurtling over new road humps is driving residents in Trowbridge round the bend.

Thousands of pounds were spent on speed humps in College Road just six months ago. But residents claim the scheme is a waste of money, and noise from trucks and other vehicles racing down the street makes buildings shake.

The traffic calming measures were the result of a £350,000 grant from Wiltshire County Council for the area around Wiltshire College's Trowbridge campus.

It was planned to cut speeding and give pedestrians priority.

George Powell, who lives in College Road, said: "It starts at 7am and sounds as if someone is trying to kick the front door in the whole house shakes.

"Articulated trucks race over the speed humps at about 40mph and when they hit the ground they make an almighty racket.

"One morning the vibrations set off a car alarm.

"We told the county council this was going to happen and residents asked for smaller road humps but it didn't listen."

Traffic restrictions were put in place after the county council was presented with the cash as part of the Government-funded Home Zones scheme. Jeff Osborn, town and district councillor, was Trowbridge mayor when money for the traffic calming measures was secured.

He said: "We've got a problem with trucks using College Road as a short cut.

"I sympathise with residents because I have heard what they have to put up with. We have alerted the council and this needs to be sorted out."

The county council has denied receiving any complaints. A spokesman said: "Residents in College Road were fully consulted before the speed calming measures were introduced and their instalment was specifically requested by residents.

"We have received no formal complaints from residents, however if we do we will examine them."

The Home Zones scheme, announced in 2002, also saw traffic calming measures installed in the Princecroft Lane area of Warminster.