Queens Drive could have its speed limit cut depending on a public consultation by the council.

Part of the 40mph road from Whitbourne Road to the Drakes Way roundabout could be reduced to 30mph following serious safety concerns.

It comes 18 months after the council first approved a motion to slow the road. 

And after residents have been left frustrated at the slow pace of action after witnessing multiple near-death escapes on the road and fearing worse.(Image: Rebecca Clements)

Councillor Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “As a council we have already taken steps to reduce speed along Queens Drive after councillors supported a proposal to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph between Whitbourne Avenue and the roundabout with Drakes Way.

“A consultation on the proposals is likely to be carried out at some point over the next few months.”

In February 2023, councillors approved a motion directing the cabinet member for highways to start a review of the safety of Queens Drive “as a matter of urgency”.

Then, cabinet member for children Jenny Jefferies said: “Child deaths on roads are not inevitable. One child’s death is a death too many and we as a nation must do all we can to keep our young people safe.

“Children travelling from their homes to local primary and secondary schools as well as New College and St Joseph’s secondary school cross the road daily."

(Image: Newsquest)

She added that in the 2016-2020 accident statistics report for Swindon, Queens Drive was the second highest for collisions.

The section of road that could be slowed passes New College. Rebecca Clements, a resident on the road, is working with the mother of a schoolboy who narrowly escaped death on the road.

Debris from a crashed car whizzed by 11-year-old Brandon-Lee Russell’s head as he walked to school.

His mother, Leigh, said at the time: “I could have been dealing with a different situation if Brandon was standing just a bit closer.”Aftermath of the crash that nearly hit Brandon, 11. (Image: Public submission)

Rebecca recalls seeing cars racing on the wrong side of the road and "crazy" motorbike riders doing wheelies. 

She has been requesting to set up a community speedwatch group, but when the council measured the speeds of cars on the road they found not enough people were speeding to warrant a group being formed.

Rebecca argues the place on the road where measurements were taken was not representative of speeds on the whole road, as it was approaching a set of traffic lights.The section of road that could be slowed, from Whitbourne Avenue to the first roundabout north of the BP garage (Image: Google Maps)

Councillor Chris Watts said: “The site chosen for the traffic survey provided results representative of traffic speeds on this busy section of Queens Drive.”

However, Rebecca has been further confused by the police saying that the road is so dangerous that it would be unsafe for a civilian speedwatch group, and ongoing council action to reduce the speed limit - both of which she says contradicts arguments against a community speedwatch group.

She said in an online post: "According to SBC the road is not dangerous enough to warrant a Community Speed Watch Group. However, according to Wiltshire Police, the road is too fast and dangerous for Community Speed Watch and police enforcement is taking place instead!"

Traffic regulation orders (TROs), such as changes in speed limits, must pass a public consultation period before when the public can raise objections to or comments on the proposal coming into effect.

If formal objections are received they will be considered by council officers and the final decision will be made by the relevant cabinet member.

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