People moving into new houses in Blunsdon will be given free bus passes in a bid to tackle congestion.

And they will be offered guidance on how to get about without their cars following fears that the development will add to traffic problems at the nearby Cold Harbour junction.

Developer Kingsman Estates has been given planning permission to build 43 houses on land used to graze horses just off the B4019 at Broad Blunsdon opposite the Cold Harbour pub and hotel.

The land is next door to another green field site where 54 houses are going to be built.

The plan was given the go ahead despite fears expressed by the parish council and residents that more houses would cause even worse traffic in the village.

A spokesman for the Bristol developer says the location, in easy reach of the town centre needn’t be one where people always use their cars.

He said: “In Swindon there are a number of large employment areas, as well as retail, health and leisure facilities all within a comfortable cycling distance of the site via a comprehensive cycle network.

“Up to 12 bus services per weekday provide access into the centre of Swindon.”

The company said its travel plan for the residents of the site includes an offer of a four-week bus pass for each household or a discount voucher for bikes to the same value.

It added: “Travel information packs will include maps showing local walking and cycling routes, information regarding routes to local services and facilities, bus routes and timetables, information on car sharing and how residents can participate in car sharing schemes.”

Not everyone was entirely convinced.

Andrea Sarah said: “It’s a good idea, but I think so many people still think they have to drive every where.

“I know there are some good bike paths but I don’t know how you’d get across the dual carriageway if you were going to town from Blunsdon. The junction looks really frightening I don’t think many people would look at that and want to ride their bike.”

Chairman of the parish council Ian Jankinson said: “There have been 512 houses in the village given consent since 2015. However many bus passes you give out, Cold Harbour junction isn’t coping now.

"There are few services, so people have to drive to shops, there’s not much work here, so people drive to that, the school’s oversubscribed, so they’ll drive their children to school."