PEDESTRIAN safety is being placed at risk by overgrown grass and small trees on a busy roundabout in Hilperton, locals have claimed.
Residents came out in force to protest that grass is not being cut regularly by Wiltshire Council on the five-junction roundabout in Elizabeth Way.
Janet Waring, 72, of Wyke Road, claims someone could be seriously injured or killed because pedestrians trying to cross the roundabout cannot see traffic until it’s nearly too late.
She said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen. The grass has not been cut for several months now.
“I know that we had ‘no-mow May’ but it’s now July and nothing has been done. Cars come over that roundabout very quickly and young children cross it to get to the infant school in Wyke Road.”
The junction across the Hilperton Gap was previously maintained by housebuilder Persimmon Wessex, which has built some of the homes on new housing developments since 2015.
But several years ago, the company handed it over to Wiltshire Council which is now responsible for managing the grass-cutting schedule for the roundabout.
Mrs Waring added: “Some years ago when Elizabeth Way was first completed the builders Persimmon left this five-junction roundabout to get overgrown.
“It was so dangerous for pedestrians as they took their life in their hands to cross as they had no clear vision of traffic approaching. Now, after many years, the council has adopted it and are responsible for maintenance.
“Three people have tried to get the council to cut the grass and eventually a small amount of grass at the edge has been cut but residents are still in danger crossing this includes school children, people on mobility scooters and the elderly trying to get to the bus stop.
“One elderly lady some weeks ago came home from town on a bus that broke down in the bottom half of Wyke Road. Instead of waiting for a replacement bus, the lady walked home and had to cross three junctions of roundabout, she was very scared.
“Many residents say they have had lucky escapes from being run down by cars and lorries. With five junctions this is very dangerous and we fear there will be an accident any day.”
Her neighbour Harold Demski, 69, from Wyke Road, added: “It’s very difficult to judge the speed of the vehicles coming from the Wickes direction because you cannot see them crossing the roundabout."
"Cars never slow down, they just fly across at 30-40mph. Sometimes when you step out, you have to step back again. Anybody who is infirm or on a mobility scooter will just get mown down.
“They have also planted some trees in the middle. They are small enough now to see past them but when they grow nobody will be able to see past them.”
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We are aware of the concerns that have been raised at this location and cutting has been undertaken recently to clear approximately a 1.5 metres strip around the circumference of the roundabout, including the splays of the adjoining junctions.
“Highway safety is always a priority and we take action where required. However, where safe to do so, roundabouts of this nature in the urban environment offer an opportunity to increase biodiversity and environmental benefits.
“The areas that have recently been cut will be done so for the remainder of the grass-cutting season, approximately every four to five weeks.
“Our grass-cutting policies and plans for the upcoming year are reviewed annually at the end of the grass-cutting season, which would usually conclude in October each year.”
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