Ref. 28015-07Road traffic humps in Haydon Wick have increased the number of speeding cars, according to angry residents.

People living in the Thames Avenue area say traffic calming measures only fuel motorists' impatience and they speed up in between the humps.

There have also been complaints about motorbikes racing each other late at night.

Residents said the volume of traffic has increased with the advent of developments such as Abbey Meads and Asda Wal-Mart.

The complaints are to be considered at an area panel meeting this week.

David Boland, 59, of Thames Avenue, who has lived in the road ever since his house was built in 1972, believes the problems are getting worse.

Mr Boland, a former engineer, said: "It is ridiculous that since the traffic calming was put in some years ago the cars seem to go even faster.

"You often see them come flying past the house. I notice it especially if I am trying to get out of my driveway in the rush hour. You find it almost impossible to get off the drive.

"Years ago the council told us that it wouldn't be a through road but with all the recent developments it has got worse.

"Safeway is just at the end and Asda Wal-Mart is up the road, and now there's all the people from Abbey Meads. It's just too busy."

Marion Money, who has lived in Thames Avenue for 17 years, agreed that the situation has grown worse.

Mrs Money, 68, who worked as a nurse in Swindon for 32 years, said: "The council would have been better off putting up speed cameras.

"These speed humps haven't made any difference. If anything they have made it worse. People just seem to drive quicker and quicker.

"I have terrible trouble getting the car out of the driveway. No one gives way anymore."

Mrs Money said motorbikes regularly roared past at night as part of the increase in traffic.

She added: "I won't be going to the meeting though. You never really see any good come of them."

Other complaints to be considered include the lack of police checks on speeding motorists in the Haydon Wick area.

Police are currently assessing traffic speeds in Thames Avenue to determine appropriate speed restrictions.

Coun Ian Dobie (Con, Haydon Wick), lead member for transport and environment, said: "People's perception of speed is not always bourne out by the facts.

"The volume of traffic has increased all over the country. However it has increased in Swindon more than other areas but that is due to the expansion of the town. It is something we need to look into."

The residents' complaints are to be considered at an area panel meeting at the council offices, in Haydon Wick, at 7pm on Thursday, although no action is planned yet.

Alex Emery