BUSINESS leaders in Swindon could hold the key to ending traffic chaos in the town.

One of Swindon's company bosses has reiterated his warning that choked roads and unending traffic jams could force companies to abandon the town for pastures new.

Six months ago the town's Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted the conference, Swindon's Gridlock: The Next Move. The conference chairman was John Cullum, president and chief executive of fleet management company PHH.

He issued a stark warning that to allow the problem to grow was potentially disastrous. He said Swindon could not rely on firms to display never-ending loyalty to the town if the issue was not dealt with.

Almost six months on he believes the 'temperature' is rising both locally and nationally.

"The whole question of the effect of gridlock on business is really being understood. I think it is getting through in a more focused way," he said. "It is key to opening new business opportunities and to keeping existing ones," said Mr Cullum.

Keith Newton, policy advisor to the Swindon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said plans were in place to carry out a wide-ranging consultation exercise through the Swindon Development Partnership a body which includes the chamber of commerce.

Mr Newton said it was vital to establish transport patterns, if there was any chance of changing them.