THE design and infrastructure for the massive Wichelstowe development is the top concern for residents in the Wroughton and Wichelstowe ward.

The new ward, made from part of the existing Wroughton and Chiseldon Ward, comprises Wroughton village, Wichelstowe, Wroughton Airfield, Thorney Park, and Barbury Down.

The overriding issue in this ward is Wichelstowe, the 4,500-home extension for Swindon being built north of the M4 between Junction 16 and Croft Road.

East Wichel village is nearly complete and Swindon Council is now consulting on the proposed design codes which will guide the overall look and feel of the remaining villages, Middle and West Wichel Terry King, the chairman of the Front garden Action Group (FRAG), said he wanted the new councillors to change the planned route of the Southern Relief Road back to its original position.

“In the original Swindon Local Plan for 2011 onwards, they definitely showed the Southern Relief Road as going all the way along the south part, close to the M4, and then under the motorway,” he said.

“Now in the new design codes they show it going slap through the middle of one of those villages, Middle Wichel, which is pretty stupid when you think about it, routing all traffic into the middle of a village with pedestrian zones and so on.”

Mr King said he also wanted the council to close Mill Lane sooner rather than later, and in the meantime put up signs to prevent accidents on a new crossroads. We’ve already had one accident there and it’s a dangerous crossing so the sooner they close Mill lane the better,” he said.

Mr King also said the design codes should require the new houses to have more sustainable features, such as photo-voltaic panels on south-facing roofs.

In Wroughton, Hilary Bather, the editor of the Wroughton Monthly village magazine, said villagers feared the village would see extra traffic because of Wichelstowe.

“The main bone of contention in the village at the moment is the fact that the access to Wichelstowe has been changed and they’re now using Mill Lane and Wharf Road,” she said.

“And it’s also been designated a route for construction traffic which none of the villagers are happy about.

“There’s a strong feeling because the Wroughton residents feel it’s the thin end of the wedge.

“Once there’s access, Swindon Borough Council could start to develop the land on this end of the motorway.”