SWINDON Police has been asked to intervene after the increase in drivers using Priors Hill.

It comes less than a week into the three month closure of Marlborough Road through Wroughton.

Writing on Facebook, councillor Cathy Martyn said couns met with MP Sir Robert Buckland following concerns raised by residents who couldn’t access their drives, and who are “concerned about the safety of both drivers and pedestrians”.

The police were then asked if they were able to support in any way, and they advised that they will be sending a PCSO and will be contacting Swindon Borough Council (SBC) to discuss.

Coun Martyn said: “We were concerned there would be chaos without additional measures being put in place, so we had previously requested additional signs to discourage drivers from using Priors Hill as an unofficial diversion, and staffed checkpoints at the top and bottom of the hill, we even suggested windscreen stickers for local residents, but all these requests were refused on the basis that Priors Hill is a public road and SBC can’t stop the public using a public road.

“Today we supported a resident’s suggestion that SBC and/ or one of the contractors should send someone to direct traffic to alleviate the issues experienced yesterday, and we’re still awaiting a response. We don’t believe the current situation is acceptable and we have asked what will be done to improve it.”