Politics & Council · Swindon
Councillor renews calls for major repairs to pothole-plagued Highworth Road
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A Stratton St Margaret councillor is pushing for a full resurfacing of Highworth Road, citing years of recurring damage and failed temporary patch repairs.
A local councillor is demanding urgent, long-term repairs for Highworth Road in Stratton St Margaret, describing the route as increasingly deteriorated and plagued by persistent potholes. Councillor Marco Di Pinto, who represents Lower Stratton, has launched a renewed campaign for a full resurfacing of the road, arguing that the current strategy of temporary patching is no longer fit for purpose.
Highworth Road serves as a critical artery for commuters entering Swindon, bearing a heavy volume of daily traffic including a significant number of HGVs travelling to and from the industrial estates in the Stratton area. The section of the carriageway situated between the Crown Inn and the Rat Trap Inn has been identified as the most problematic stretch. Local residents and road users have reported that the road surface frequently breaks down, with potholes reappearing shortly after repairs are carried out, often exacerbated by heavy rainfall and high traffic levels.
Councillor Di Pinto stated that he has been raising these concerns for over a year, both during his time as a candidate and since his election to the Borough and Parish Councils. He has urged Swindon Borough Council’s highways team, along with Cabinet Member for Highways Nick Gardiner and Chief Executive Sam Mowbray, to move beyond temporary fixes. He has also formally requested that a highways inspector carries out an urgent assessment of the current state of the road.
Community impact
The condition of the road has become a significant point of frustration for those living and working in the area. Residents have taken to social media to highlight the daily challenges posed by the road, with some reporting that they must manoeuvre carefully to avoid damaging their vehicles. Others have expressed concern regarding the structural impact on nearby properties caused by the noise and vibration of heavy goods vehicles passing over the damaged surface.
Commenting on the persistent issues, one local resident noted that motorists often have to zigzag across the road to navigate around the defects. Another resident, who lives near the affected area, described the situation as having been the norm for many years, noting that the surface is frequently subjected to further disruption from utility works or the weight of heavy vehicles. Councillor Di Pinto has pledged to continue supporting residents by pushing for both immediate safety repairs and the necessary long-term capital investment required to restore the road surface properly.
Swindon Borough Council has been contacted for comment regarding the future maintenance plans for this section of Highworth Road.
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