IT is supposed to be the answer to Swindon's congestion.

But people in Wroughton believe the traffic arrangements surrounding the new park being built nearby are simply barmy and will actually feed traffic straight into their village.

The problem has arisen over the entrance to the site, which is located on Croft Road, just to the north of the motorway bridge.

Access to the car park will only be possible from the Wroughton direction by turning right at a new traffic light junction.

That means anyone approaching from Pipers Way or the Swindon side of Croft Road will be forced to go past the park and ride, cross the bridge and double back at a mini-roundabout in Wroughton.

That could mean long queues of traffic forming at the roundabout and clogging up traffic travelling in both directions.

The new system is expected to bring about difficulties for parents attempting to drop off children at nearby Ridgeway School together with residents living in the small estate immediately adjacent to the roundabout.

Wroughton and Chiseldon ward councillor, Jemima Milton (Con), who is also the council's cabinet member for transport, admitted she had only learned of the potential problem in the last few weeks.

"We didn't realise there was a problem until very late on," she said. "I and the other ward councillors have had a meeting with the relevant council officers and expressed our concerns.

"We have decided to give it three months and see how many people use it and decide if the entrance is posing traffic problems for Wroughton.

"The idea is that motorists shouldn't really be coming from Swindon to the park and ride, as it is intended to be used by people coming from outside of Swindon.

"Having said that, without the park and ride site at Commonhead confirmed yet, motorists may well come along Pipers Way from the east of Swindon to use it. I don't think this layout will help the traffic flow and that eventuality should really have been addressed."

The park and ride was originally due to open next month, but is now scheduled for opening on May 7.

Parking will be free, with a bus service costing £1.70 for a return ticket to and from the town, via Old Town.

The Old Town Businesses and Professionals Association, chaired by Richard Deacon of Deacons the Jewellers, has also voiced doubts over the layout. In its latest newsletter, it said it had made its concerns clear to the council, but noted that the council had decided to adopt a "suck it and see" approach.