VILLAGERS who say they have been “ridden over roughshod”

by mounting traffic problems on the A303 are taking matters into their own hands.

Signatures are being gathered on a petition, a blog has been started, action groups have been formed and meetings have been held as people make their feelings known about the trafficchoked roads of south Wiltshire.

More than 200 people attended the last meeting of Amesbury Area Board, held in Shrewton, to let Wiltshire Council officers know how the traffic congestion had blighted their lives this summer.

They said the problem had become a lot worse since the A344 closed earlier this year and the queues approaching Countess Roundabout were forcing vehicles off the A303 onto alternative routes through Amesbury and the nearby villages.

Councillor Ian West says that turning the A303 into a dual carriageway is the only option.

“People are extremely angry,”

he said. “And we are worried that it will only get worse when the Stonehenge visitor centre opens.”

Dr Andy Shuttleworth, who has lived in Winterbourne Stoke since 1986, has started a blog to highlight the impact of the A303 traffic jams on life in the village.

“It is time for us to stand up and be counted – we have been ridden over roughshod for so many years,” he said.

“It’s time to increase the pressure and get something done – we cannot roll over and let this road continue to spoil life in our village.”

And the Shrewton Traffic Action Group (STAG) is also gathering force.

An online petition has been signed by more than 100 people in just a few days and there will be a further chance to sign it at a protest event this weekend.

“There is such strength of feeling,”

said founder Janice Hassett. “We’ll take this petition all the way to Westminster to get something done. We’ve all had enough.”

STAG members, parish council representatives and Cllr West also had a meeting with MP John Glen on Friday to discuss the problem and hope central government will now take action.

* The Winterbourne Stoke blog is available at bypasswinterbournestoke.

blogspot.co.uk n The petition signing and Shrewton Traffic Action Group protest takes place at Shrewton Methodist Church Hall on High Street, Shrewton between noon and 6pm on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6.

* To sign the petition or for more details on STAG visit shrewton.com.