Ridgeway Ward

23/10/2026

It was good to take part in the village clean up last weekend, brilliantly organised as ever by residents and the parish council. The blue skies we enjoyed up on the Ridgeway are a distant memory now!

23/10/2026

Another flood alert has been issued by the Environment Agency.

22/10/2026

🚦 M4 JUNCTION 15 TRAFFIC LIGHTS – AN UPDATE

We know just how frustrating the traffic lights at Junction 15 have been for some time, particularly for residents travelling from Chiseldon towards Swindon during the morning rush hour.

The current timings mean that very few vehicles can get across the roundabout before the lights change, causing huge tailbacks and unnecessary delays.

We’ve been raising this with National Highways, and have received an updated response explaining what’s going on.

It appears that the traffic lights have never been formally handed over to National Highways’ maintenance team following completion of the junction improvements. This is because a number of outstanding issues were identified, and some of the necessary documentation was missing.

As a result, the lights have not been included in the routine maintenance programme.

National Highways has now confirmed that:

✅ Much of the missing documentation has been located.

✅ Electrical and more detailed condition inspections are proposed to establish whether further work is required.

✅ The traffic lights will be added to a programme to check and optimise their operation.

This is progress, but it isn’t a solution yet. Residents shouldn’t have to sit in lengthy queues every morning because traffic signals aren’t working effectively.

We’ll continue pressing National Highways to get the inspections completed, review the signal timings and make the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.

Matt & Gary

Photo credit: Jason Spickett / Swindon from the Air

20/10/2026

The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for today. Drive carefully.

18/10/2026

Clearly someone has a problem and is desperate to get HGV’s directed via The Marsh and Pack Hill.

We’ll get the signs cleaned or replaced but we can’t stop the deliberate and vindictive vandalism.

We’ll request cctv from the security hut in case we can identify these people.

17/10/2026

Great to be out in Wanborough today with plenty of help, delivering our letter to residents explaining how to object to the application to build 275 houses on Inlands Farm, which forms part of the ‘green belt’ between Wanborough and urban Swindon. Please object, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need our help!

Matt & Gary

17/10/2026

A warning that a couple of homes have been burgled in the last day or so in Wanborough.

They appear to have targeted homes where the residents were away.

Please keep an eye out for any strangers approaching homes or seeming out of place.

Please report any concerns to the police.

If possible leave a light or two on with timers.

15/10/2026

The fight over Inlands Farm is not over.

An appeal has been lodged against the Council’s refusal of plans for up to 275 homes at Inlands Farm, Wanborough. The proposal will now go before a public inquiry.

We stood against this development because our villages deserve better than speculative applications that put pressure on local infrastructure and erode their rural character. The developer’s decision to appeal does not change our position.

As your Conservative councillors, we will continue to stand up for our communities and support the defence of the Council’s decision.

Existing representations will be passed to the Planning Inspectorate. If you would like to add further comments, please submit them by 19th of November, quoting appeal reference 6015853.

Have your say here 👇
https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/enter-appeal-reference

The date and venue of the inquiry will be announced later. We will keep you updated as the appeal progresses.

14/10/2026

FYI

10/10/2026