A stretch of road known locally as The Fox, between Swindon and Purton, was closed by police shortly before 1pm on Sunday, July 19 following a single‑vehicle collision.
Incident and response
Wiltshire Police were called to the scene at approximately 12.50pm. Officers confirmed there were no reported injuries, but the carriageway remained closed while a recovery vehicle removed the damaged car. The road was reopened at around 2.30pm once recovery and enquiries were complete.
A force spokesperson said:
“At 12.50pm yesterday we responded to a single vehicle collision at The Fox, Purton. There were no reported injuries. Our enquiries into the collision are ongoing.”
Local reaction and safety concerns
During the closure, Wiltshire councillor Jacqui Lay warned motorists to avoid the area while emergency services were on scene. She later used the incident to reiterate concerns about speeding along the route and urged drivers to respect the posted limit.
Councillor Lay reminded residents that the speed limit for the section from Church End to the far end of The Fox is 30mph, adding that a central section which may appear unrestricted is in fact within the limit.
- Time of police response: 12.50pm (Sunday 19 July)
- Road reopening: around 2.30pm
- Reported injuries: none
What this means for local drivers
The closure caused some local disruption while recovery took place. Drivers travelling between Swindon and Purton should be aware that even short incidents can lead to lane closures and delays, and that local councillors remain active in raising road‑safety issues with residents.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | The Fox (between Swindon and Purton) |
| Incident type | Single‑vehicle collision |
| Injuries reported | No |
| Police status | Enquiries ongoing |
Wiltshire Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has dashcam footage that could assist enquiries is asked to contact the force through the usual channels.
Swindon road users should continue to heed speed limits and exercise caution on rural stretches where visibility or road geometry can give the misleading impression of higher permissible speeds.
Further updates will be provided if the force releases additional information about the cause or outcome of their enquiries.
