HGVs could be banned from using Swindon's most polluted road under new plans.

Swindon Borough Council is consulting the public on a proposed traffic regulation order that would introduce a new 7.5-tonne weight limit for vehicles using Kingshill Road between the Okus Road and B4289 Westcott Place junctions.

The restrictions would be in place around the clock and the only exception would be for heavy goods vehicles making deliveries to homes in the area.

This idea follows the local authority detecting high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions along Kingshill Road in 2018, declaring Kingshill an Air Quality Management Area, and considering ways to make the air cleaner.

The high amount of pollution on Kingshill Road is thought to be due to factors such as exhaust emissions from large vehicles and the steep incline with houses and trees on either side sheltering the road from winds that may help to disperse harmful emissions.

Last December, the council’s Cabinet approved a Kingshill Air Quality Action Plan which included a proposal to introduce a traffic regulation order imposing a weight restriction on vehicles using the road to help reduce toxic exhaust fumes by around five per cent.

The most recent survey conducted by the council suggests that an average of 120 HGV journeys per day would be affected by the proposed weight limit.

The alternative routes for these heavy good vehicles would include Great Western Way, County Road and Drove Road.

The council claims there is capacity on these alternative routes to accommodate the relatively small number of diverted HGVs without resulting in a noticeable change to the local environment in these areas.

Cllr Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet member for communities and partnerships, said: “While Swindon’s air quality is generally good and improving, Kingshill is an area of concern which is why it remains a designated Air Quality Management Area.

“We’ve got an action plan in place to reduce the levels of harmful emissions, and this includes a Traffic Regulation Order for HGVs using the road.

“We’re committed to making Swindon a greener place to live, and improving the quality of air in and around the Borough is an important part of that mission.

“I’d like to encourage everyone, from residents to local businesses, to give their valuable feedback so we can make sure we get this right for everyone.”

The consultation is open until August 9. Details of the full traffic order are available on the council’s website www.swindon.gov.uk/info/20135/traffic_management/657/traffic_regulation_orders_tros