A ROUNDABOUT should be reinstated at a controversial traffic light junction in Old Town, according to a councillor.

Fionuala Foley, who represents the area, will tell tomorrow's south area panel that the Newport Street and Devizes Road junction continues to cause problems.

The new traffic system was installed at the junction to improve traffic flow and accommodate the park and ride buses coming into Swindon from the new park and ride site at Wroughton.

But, following claims of traffic congestion as a result, Old Town residents and business owners have threatened to set up road-blocks in protest.

Pedestrians say that a knock-on effect of the new junction is that pedestrian crossings on Croft Road, Newport Street and Devizes Road now take longer to stop traffic.

The crossing near the Arts Centre in Devizes Road takes 30 seconds to change the lights to red during off peak times compared to 10 seconds in nearby Victoria Road tempting pedestrians to risk crossing in moving traffic.

Coun Foley (Con) said: "The council's traffic department understands this is a subject of concern and says there are changes it could make.

"I am hoping to get agreement, and I will be asking the council's cabinet to look at the junction as an urgent item and put the roundabout back, monitoring it for three to six months."

In a face-to-face meeting with council traffic officers at the junction, shopkeepers, parents and residents warned that unless something is done to improve traffic flow and safety in the area, they would disrupt traffic themselves, and even lie in the road, to get their point across.

Traffic officers say that although they are considering installing safety measures to the present system, including bollards and barriers, the new lights are necessary to accommodate the Wroughton park and ride scheme.

The Area South Panel takes place from 7pm at Wanborough Village Hall and residents, motorists and pedestrians are invited to air their views.