THE issue of the Thamesdown Drive extension has been put on hold for several months while a plan to breathe life into the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate is developed.

For more than 20 years people have been campaigning for an extension to the northern link road to ease traffic problems but a report said this would not deliver sufficient benefits to justify a potential £50 million cost.

Instead, the report says developing existing roads, such as Akers Way and Mead Way, would be far cheaper at £15 million and would also address the problem.

However, council leaders have said they want to develop a plan to improve the industrial estate before pressing ahead with any changes to the roads, so the full benefits of the scheme can be outlined.

The report went before scrutiny on Monday night and although no formal decision was made, council chiefs are keen to develop a formal plan before going to the Govern-ment for the cash.

Councillor Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member for transport, said: “People have been fixated on building this road for so long without looking at the benefits the road will bring. We now have an independent report which says there is a better way of doing it.

“This is about the future of Swindon and finding a way to solve a 20-year problem.

“My three-point plan to answer this puzzle is to firstly agree a new master plan for the future of the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, since this is a pain point for Akers Way and Bruce Street Bridges which no one is talking about. Secondly, we need to listen to the engineers and consider if there are improvements that can be targeted to solve the traffic problems along Whitehill Way, Mead Way and Akers Way in the short term.

“Finally, councillors and MPs of all parties need to work together to continue lobbying for the new road as the long-term ambition for Swindon.”

Coun Heenan has said plans would be developed over the coming months in consultation with ward councillors and local businesses.

The Thamesdown Drive extension has been a source of contention for a number of years. The Labour group has said the council needs to develop a ‘shovel-ready’ plan so work on the road can begin if money becomes available.

The Leader of the Labour group and Rodbourne Cheney ward councillor Jim Grant said: “I think this is letting down the residents living in north and west Swindon, who desperately need this road in order to mitigate the terrible traffic in those areas.

“The longer the road is not being progressed by the council the more likely it will never be built as governments of all parties will think Swindon is not serious about having this road.

“We are happy for the council to pursue a regeneration plan of the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate but it’s vital that they include residents living nearby, existing employers situated in the estate and ward councillors in drafting this plan. However, the reality is that the building of the road would offer an opportunity to attract new business and private sector investment.”