CARS could soon be forced to slow down on their way into Old Town.

The 40mph limit on Marlborough Road is set to be reduced to 30mph in the area around the Pipers Way roundabout.

Currently drivers can step on the accelerator as soon as they pass the mini roundabout with Signal Way as they leave Old Town.

But Swindon Council is now planning to keep drivers at 30mph until they are past both the Pipers Way roundabout and the mini roundabout with Broome Manor Lane.

Ward councillor Fionuala Foley (Con, Old Town and Lawn) is keen to see the speed limit reduced.

"We have been campaigning for this for a long time," she said.

"There are lots of families living there and we want to encourage children to walk to school and people to walk more, so we have to encourage people to drive slower.

"The facts and figures speak for themselves at 30mph there is a much better chance of someone surviving an accident than at 40mph."

The council has given formal notice that it plans to reduce the limit. If there are no objections during the consultation period, which runs until June 17, the restriction could be in place by autumn.

But that will not be the end of the issue for Coun Foley.

"The aim is ultimately we would like it to be 30mph right down to the Coate Water roundabout," she said.

"People have to get into the habit of slowing down in urban areas."

Gwenda Barnes, the chairwoman of the Pipers Area Residents' Association, also wants to see the speed limit reduced but says it will not make much difference as the traffic is often too heavy to travel faster.

"We asked years ago if it could be reduced for the Pipers roundabout," she said.

"To be honest, most of the time it is impossible to go much beyond 30mph anyway.

"But when it is clear at night people belt down there fast.

"It will help the people coming out of Broome Manor Lane because the visibility is very poor."

A copy of the proposals is available to be viewed at Customer Services, Wat Tyler House, Euclid Street, Swindon, between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Objections to the plans should be made in writing by June 17, quoting reference 40mph/Marlborough/2005, and sent to Ioan Reed, Head of Transportation Services, Premier House, Station Road, Swindon SN1 1TZ.

For more information ring the street works department on 01793 466398.

Isabel Field