BADBURY residents say they fear for the lives of their children because motorists are using their village as a short cut to Swindon.

Resident and former Chiseldon coun-cillor Adelaide Dudman, 60, is spear-heading a campaign to reduce the speed and volume of passing traffic.

She said: "There are no footpaths here. So children wait in a driveway for the school bus to escape the traffic. We live in fear of a car or lorry killing someone.

"Cars, lorries and even car transporters come hurtling past at break-neck speed. It is fast becoming an accident blackspot.

"In the space of half an hour, I counted 300 vehicles."

Armed with a 62-name petition, she hopes Swindon Council will take action to stop motorists using the road or at least reduce their speed.

The situation has got worse since roadworks at Commonhead roundabout started last May. When the Great Western Hospital opens in November, Mrs Dudman believes the problem will be unbearable.

She has also sent a letter to councillor Keith Small (Lab, Western) and the Wilt-shire traffic inspector highlighting the issue and asking for help.

Coun Small said: "I look forward to hearing the matter in forthcoming council meetings where possible solutions would be seriously debated."