Reform UK in Swindon has won its first-ever motion at Full Council, pressing the borough to take fresh action over the controversial experimental traffic management layout on Commercial Road.
Motion calls for survey responses to be included in consultation
The motion, tabled at the Full Council meeting on 6 August and moved by Councillor Sara Godwin with Councillor Colin Lovell seconding, asks officers to ensure responses gathered by the party are formally accepted as part of the council’s consultation on the scheme.
The experimental traffic order, introduced in March, converted a two-lane carriageway into a single traffic lane and installed around 35 short-stay parking spaces and two disabled bays. Parking is free for 20 minutes for the short-stay spaces, with the disabled bays allowing up to an hour.
The changes were brought in on an 18-month experimental basis, with the first six months designated for public consultation. Reform UK said it carried out its own survey of users, residents and businesses and submitted the results as part of its amended motion to Full Council.
"This motion asks a very simple but important question."
The party reported 169 responses to its survey and said 60.9% of those respondents favoured reinstating the previous parking arrangement on Commercial Road. Concerns raised in the survey included alleged illegal pavement parking, reduced visibility for motorists and pedestrians, and difficulties for larger vehicles negotiating the route.
What councillors asked of officers
The amended motion requests that the council’s Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Sustainability consider two principal options as part of the consultation review:
- Removing the parking bays on the left-hand side of Commercial Road;
- Reviewing bays on the right-hand side to ensure they do not obstruct junctions, entrances, exits or visibility.
Reform UK framed the motion as a call to respond where the experimental scheme is not fully meeting its objectives, urging the council to "listen to the evidence" and make improvements where necessary.
Why the change was made and what’s at stake
The council previously said the scheme was designed to encourage quick visits into the town centre and to support local businesses by creating short-stay parking opportunities close to shops. The experimental setup allows the authority to test whether those aims are met before deciding on permanent change.
Supporters of the experiment argue it could boost footfall and make parking more accessible for shoppers. Opponents, including some residents, business owners and road users who responded to Reform UK’s survey, say the reconfiguration has led to safety and access concerns.
Next steps and local consequences
With the consultation period still running until September, the council will now have to determine how to incorporate the reform group’s survey responses into its formal review. Any decision to amend the experimental traffic order would be taken by officers in line with council procedures and the statutory consultation process.
For local traders and drivers, the review could mean further adjustments to bay layouts or a return to the pre-March parking arrangement. For residents, the outcome will be watched closely; the scheme has prompted a wider debate over how to balance ease of access to the town centre with road safety and traffic flow.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Survey responses (Reform UK) | 169 |
| % supporting reinstatement | 60.9% |
| Parking spaces added | ~35 short-stay; 2 disabled bays |
| Experimental period | 18 months (first 6 months consultation) |
The motion’s success does not itself change the traffic order, but it signals political pressure from councillors who have heard constituents raise practical concerns. As the consultation deadline approaches, the borough faces a decision that will affect the everyday movement of shoppers, delivery drivers and residents in Swindon’s town centre.
Local business owners and commuters will want clarity on whether the experiment will be adjusted or reversed, and the council’s acceptance of additional evidence could broaden the range of views included in its review.
