Trevor Carbin

Wiltshire Councillor for Atworth, Holt and Staverton. Learn more

Melksham bypass.

by trevorcarbin on 26 May, 2021

Wiltshire Council has decided to build a bypass to the east of the town.  Following a consultation last winter, the route is to go forward as the preferred option, because it will allow through traffic to travel faster and will open up more land for housing development.

The route will, it’s claimed, reduce journey times on the A365 to the east and west of Melksham.  So it could increase traffic through Atworth, though is likely to have less impact on our area than the western routes, which have been discounted.

The proposed eastern route will cost £135million.  There will be a further round of consultation later this year, and the council will draw up an Outline Business Case for presentation to government.

Although the bypass would be of benefit to the residents of Beanacre, WC points out that the main purpose of the road is to be part of a fast route from the M4 to the south coast.

Although improvements to walking and cycling routes scored highly in the public consultation, WC officers are rather dismissive of the idea that if decent routes were provided then people might choose to walk or ride instead of driving, though it does accept the possibility of more cycling and walking for recreational purposes.

The options to be taken forward for further assessment are the ‘short eastern’ and ‘long eastern’ routes.  Improvements to bus services, walking and cycling are not seen as a priority but could be developed ‘should opportunities arise’.

WC expects the government to approve the scheme later this year.  There will then be the process of a planning application, as well as statutory orders around compulsory purchase and side road arrangements.  Construction starts in 2024, and the road will be open to traffic in 2027. For more details see supplement 1 of the June 1st WC cabinet agenda.

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Here’s an update based on a WC press release following the cabinet meeting:

A350 Melksham bypass: route decided; consultation to follow

The WC Cabinet has agreed the next steps for the A350 Melksham bypass.

The project was the subject of an initial consultation, held from November 2020 to January 2021, on a long list of route options. The project now moves to the next stage, another consultation on a shortlist of one.

That’s Option 10c, the long route to the east of the town, with various alignments at the northern end. The consultation will also look at improving cycling and walking facilities along the route, either in conjunction with the scheme or separately.

If approved by the Department for Transport (DfT), the bypass would allow drivers to travel faster on the A350 and support economic growth in the area.

DfT will then review the Outline Business Case against its criteria and ensure the views of the local community have been properly considered, before deciding whether to proceed with the scheme.

To find out more about the A350 Melksham bypass see: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-a350-melksham-bypass

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