(Picture kindly reproduced by the Swindon Link magazine)
Swindon Advertiser, 28/11/06
Aplan to close a road junction has enraged residents who will have to travel further or face jams outside their homes.
The North Swindon Development Company is hoping to convert access at junction 6a into a bus only route, as originally planned before houses were built in the 1990s.
Traffic travelling to and from the eastern part of the Redhouse estate will be reduced from three possible routes to just one, if the plans go ahead.
Lady Lane could also be closed at Ash Brake, leaving just one road leading into the estate.
Local councillor Justin Tomlinson said: "I have had 100 per cent support for keeping the junction open.
"Residents near junction seven would have an increase in traffic.
"Residents near junction 6a would have the inconvenience of going back on themselves."
Coun Tomlinson (Con, Abbey Meads) has persuaded developers to wait for feedback from residents before closing the junction, which is on the northern orbital road.
A meeting will be held at Bridlewood Primary School on Monday to discuss the potential closure.
School traffic which currently enters the estate through junctions six and 6a will have to be diverted through junction seven and could cause delays.
One member of staff at the school, who did not want to be named, said: "I have to travel through junction 6a from Upper Stratton every day.
"If it closed I would have to go further down and then back up again.
"The road has always seemed safe to me, and I have never noticed any trouble on it."
About half of the school's pupils are driven by their parents, and could be affected by the changes.
All parents have been invited to the meeting next week.
The North Swindon Development Company hopes to improve safety by closing the junction.
It feared the slip road, which was never designed for cars, could cause an accident if more than four or five cars are waiting to turn off Thamesdown Drive.
Ellen Heron, who has lived in Redhouse Gardens for six months, said: "I worked out that an extra 1,000 cars would be coming through.
"I can honestly say our builders never said that one of the main access roads would be closed. If there is a safety aspect now, then surely there always has been. I feel sorry for people who bought homes after being told they would be able to park on the street, but it has now become a thoroughfare.
"They have been promoting this area as good to live in for families, but it doesn't seem very safe to bring traffic past the gardens."
Residents wanting to comment on the plans or discuss them with councillors and technical advisers should attend the meeting, which is being held at Bridlewood Primary School on Monday at 7pm.
Cllr Justin Tomlinson, "I would like to thank all the local residents who have been brilliant in supporting this campaign. The public meeting will be an excellent opportunity to look at the potential issues. With such overwhelming support for keeping the road closed, I will be doing everything I can for junction 6a to remain open."