A FATHER whose daughter was nearly killed when a car smashed into his porch believes the experimental ban in Queensfield should stay in place for good.

Markus Lehmann, who lives on Queensfield, was horrified when a Volkswagen Polo crashed into the front of his house in 2006, just minutes after his one-year-old daughter, Caitlin, had been playing there.

Now the father-of-two is lending his support to the controversial 12-month order restricting traffic through the estate, which has divided opinion across the town.

“There have been quite a few incidents with cars going up people’s drives. My house had a car go through the porch where my daughter had been playing a few minutes beforehand,” he said.

“The ban is absolutely brilliant. I don’t have to worry about cars flying around the corner and hitting my children.

“It has made one hell of a difference to our community.”

The ban, which was put in place in February, stops motorists from turning into Queensfield from Cricklade Road between 7.30am and 9.30am Monday to Friday and turning out of Queensfield on to Cricklade Road between 4.30pm and 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

Earlier this month, the Adver reported the council had decided to keep it until at least July despite a petition from nearby residents.

Markus said some of the criticism about the ban had come from people who didn’t live on the rat run and criticised comments aimed at councillor Joe Tray through the Adver’s letters page.

“With any luck common sense will prevail and Arkwright Road will be opened and people will have a choice to drive to their destinations without having to cut through small communities,” Markus said.