Controversial Chippenham traffic lights have been causing “complete chaos” for residents and workers alike.

The new lights on the corner of Station Hill and New Road have courted controversy since they were installed.

Residents claim the lights have done nothing more than cause “complete chaos” and tailbacks as far as the Olympiad.

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Steve Hulbert who has worked in Station Hill for the last 10 years said that never before has he had to leave his work area because of diesel fumes from busses and lorries queuing up on the road.

He added: “Often the settings only let three vehicles through at a time, so it’s common to get two blasts of diesel fumes as the bus is still within firing distance of our store, kids walk up and down to college and the station daily. What are they now breathing in?”

Another said the lights have turned a 10 minute journey into one that can take up to half an hour with shop owners complaining about the fumes from cars idling as they wait to continue their journeys.

Monkton Park resident, Melanie Boyle said the issues “must be” putting people off going to the train station and town centre.

“It would be quicker to drive into Swindon than it would be to get to the train station,” she said. “When you’re standing waiting at the pedestrian crossing at the bottom of the road you’re just getting fumes.”

Chippenham MP, Michelle Donelan has met with Wiltshire Council over concerns about the scheme. It was agreed to attend a public meeting to answer residents’ questions.

“I was pleased that Cllr McClelland was so quick to respond to my request to meet and that he was able to come to Chippenham to see the impact of the lights,” the MP said.

“I will now seek to find a convenient date as soon as possible to hold the meeting and look forward to updating everyone.”

Cllr McClelland said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the new traffic lights in the Chippenham Western Arches area.

“We installed these lights to make crossing safer for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the wider station improvement works, and as this is a change to the previous road layout, there are times that vehicles will have to wait at the lights while pedestrians and cyclists cross safely.

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“When any new traffic lights are installed, there is always a settling-in period, during which we monitor the traffic flows and adjust the timing of the lights to ensure they are working as optimally as possible.

“Our engineers are working to improve the efficiency of the lights and minimise travel disruption, and we will continue to monitor the signals and adjust them as required.”

“We would be happy to attend any meeting arranged by Michelle Donelan MP to discuss this.”