A350 Melksham bypass

We held a public consultation exercise about the wider route options between 5 November 2020 and 17 January 2021.  Further consultations are anticipated later in 2021 as the scheme progresses towards route adoption and the development of the Outline Business Case. In addition, consultations will take place and opportunities will be provided to help shape the project at Planning Application stage. Further details will be advertised through news items and via the local media, and this page will be updated as the scheme develops.

The A350 is one of the most important routes within Wiltshire, connecting several of our principal settlements. It has been a longstanding priority for the council to improve north-south connectivity via the A350, and through alternative travel methods such as rail. This reflects the significant role of the A350 corridor in supporting economic activity and growth. The corridor has accounted for approximately 60% of all housing growth in Wiltshire over the last 15 years.

In recent years, we have been successful in attracting funding for the delivery of various improvements to the A350, such as upgrades to sections of the A350 around Chippenham, improvements at M4 Junction 17, and capacity enhancements at Farmers Roundabout, Melksham, which was completed in October 2019.

The A350 is also of wider regional significance, providing north-south connections between the south coast (the port of Poole in particular) and M4, and onwards to Bristol and the Midlands.

The scheme was one of nine priority schemes identified by the Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body. Find out more.

In March 2020, the Government awarded funding to further develop the case for the A350 Melksham bypass, having considered our initial submission made in July 2019. We are now undertaking technical exercises to enhance the evidence base for this bypass, and this work will inform an updated business case submission to government in autumn 2021.

Improvements to the A350 at Melksham have been considered for many years. Recent funding made available by Government has made it possible to put forward a proposal for a scheme of the scale and nature required to address the transport issues in a comprehensive manner.

The scheme is being promoted through the Department for Transport's Large Local Majors Fund - specifically intended to support a small number of exceptionally large local highway authority road schemes that could not be funded through normal routes.

The A350 at Melksham serves multiple functions. It is not only the main north-south route through the town, but also the main east-west through route (between A365 Western Way and Bath Road). It also provides access to the town centre and retail developments along the A350 itself for local traffic.

Traffic flows are high - approximately 35,000 vehicles daily (Annual Average Daily Flow). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) account for approximately 7% to 9% of traffic.

Based on survey data collected in 2017, approximately 40% of all traffic entering or leaving Melksham on the A350 via Beanacre is through-traffic, with the remaining 60% starting or ending its journey in Melksham. Of the 40% through-traffic, approximately 25% are north-south movements.

In October 2019 the Council completed a localised capacity enhancement at Farmers Roundabout on the A350 at Melksham. This has improved traffic flow at this location, but limitations with other sections of the route, and the prospect of further housing development and traffic growth, requires consideration of a comprehensive, strategic solution to this section of the A350.

The key issues that need to be addressed (now and for the future) include:

• Journey time delays and poor reliability
• Accidents
• Severance
• Noise and air quality

You can find out more about these issues in the downloadable PDFs on this page.

Any major road scheme takes a long time to develop and follows a statutory process that is used to create a robust business case. You can see the steps of the process below. The Melksham bypass project is currently at step 5.

1. Establish a need for a scheme

This can be due to either known congestion problems or identified from routine forecasting of future traffic growth on the UK road network.

2. Establish the initial strength of case for a new road scheme

This is undertaken by modelling the current road layout using present day traffic flow data and identifying the location and causes of congestion.

3. Identify a long list of scheme options

These can range from improving access to public transport, restrictions to traffic flow, to junction improvements, road widening and dualling to entirely new road schemes. This will involve high level design to establish length of road, number of crossing structures and the likely construction costs.

4. Options assessment (assess the viability of route options)

This will involve several areas of assessment which would be used to quantify the benefits of on a comparative scoring system. These areas of assessment are summarised as follows:

• Modelling the proposed options (road or otherwise) to establish whether the improvements in journey time they bring, expressed in economic terms exceed their delivery cost;
• Undertake a desk-based assessment of ecological receptors close to each proposed route to determine any adverse impacts the scheme may have in environmental terms;
• Establish potential conflicts or benefit on landscape visual impact presented by the scheme, along with impacts on existing property and conflicts with committed development. This would also consider the likely impacts on quality of life for local residents that the scheme may bring, including opportunities for greater accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists;
• Assess the flood risks against the new route footprints, through use of available flood data
• Desk based assessment of potential archaeological impacts from the proposed options, and
• Assess geographic and geological constraints, including contaminated land.

5. Public engagement on long list options

Once the long list of options has been identified and the technical and environmental constraints identified, the assessment process will move on to public engagement. This process provides an opportunity to present the proposed scheme in an informed manner and to describe the type of options under consideration, and on the impact they are likely to have on the local community. Views and feedback will be sought from the public at public engagement events.

6. Identification of Short list Options

The assessment of the viability of route options will conclude with the short listing of the most viable routes based on cost effectiveness (highest benefit cost ratio) and the greatest overall benefit and least adverse impact to the natural environment and the community. The design of the short-listed options will then be developed to more detail, using topographic and ecological walkover surveys to confirm the most appropriate alignment. Traffic modelling will refine the junction locations and layouts and will then be used to establish impacts on air quality and noise.

The environmental information gathered will then be assessed and the findings presented as part of a dedicated environmental report, the Preliminary Environmental Assessment Report. Feedback from public consultation will also inform route option refinement and how selection is assessed.

Together, this will ensure the shortlisted options are properly assessed in terms of their viability.

The findings of the assessment process will then be presented as part of a further public engagement as part of the public consultation expected of Outline business case process

7. Public engagement on shortlist options

The public will be presented with the shortlisted options at a further consultation event, where the benefits and disadvantages of each will be discussed. Public feedback will again be sought and will be used to inform the identification of the preferred scheme option.

8. Outline Business Case (OBC)

An Outline Business Case (OBC) will be prepared that captures the findings of the overall assessment and option selection process. This is a document that will set out the justification of a scheme, presenting its cost to deliver and the benefits it will deliver to the community and the local and national economies. The OBC is broadly divided across five chapters, each capturing the assessment work as part of a distinct topic paper or chapter:

• Strategic Case
• Financial Case
• Economic Case
• Management Case
• Commercial Case

The Outline Business Case will be submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) with supporting information as an application for scheme approval. DfT will then assess the scope and content of each of the OBC chapters to ensure they have been considered in sufficient detail to be compliant with DfT's reporting requirements. This assessment will include DfT reviewing the Transport models and the detail of the supporting evidence. The OBC will also be reviewed against the feedback received from the public consultation exercise to ensure the views of the local community have been properly considered and that the case put forward for the scheme stands up to scrutiny.

If DfT is satisfied that the design of the preferred route option is sufficiently robust and the assessment work has been carried out to an acceptable standard, then it will grant approval for government funding for the next stage of the scheme, which is formal design of the road and preparation of a planning application.

The transport objectives of the scheme were agreed by the council's Cabinet on 13 October 2020 and are to:

(i) Reduce journey times and delays and improve journey reliability on the A350 through Melksham and Beanacre, improving local and regional north-south connectivity, and supporting future housing and employment growth in the A350 corridor.

(ii) Reduce journey times and delays on and improve journey reliability on the following routes through Melksham and Beanacre:

• A350 South - A3102
• A365 West - A365 East
• A350 South - A365 West

(iii) Provide enhanced opportunities for walking and cycling between Melksham town centre and the rail station / Bath Road, and along the existing A350 corridor within Melksham and Beanacre, which will help reduce the impact of transport on the environment and support local economic activity.

(iv) Reduce personal injury accident rates and severity for the A350 and Melksham as a whole, to make the corridor safer and more resilient.

(v) Reduce the volume of traffic, including HGVs, passing along the current A350 route in northern Melksham and Beanacre to reduce severance, whilst avoiding negative impacts on other existing or potential residential areas.

Depending on the option selected, there is the potential to deliver many strategic benefits including:

• Creating a more reliable, less congested, and better-connected transport network that works for the users who rely on it.
• Providing a well-connected, reliable and resilient transport system to support economic and planned development growth at key locations.
• Supporting and helping to improve the vitality, viability and resilience of Wiltshire's economy and market towns.
• Providing transport infrastructure to support new housing in the western Wiltshire corridor.
• Assisting the efficient and sustainable distribution of freight in Wiltshire to build stronger, more balanced economy by enhancing productivity and responding to local growth priorities.
• Supporting and promoting a choice of sustainable transport alternatives.
• Reducing the level of air pollutant and climate change emissions from transport.
• Improving safety for all road users and reducing the number of casualties on Wiltshire's roads.

The local benefits are likely to include:

• Improving access to the railway station from the town and residential areas.
• Improving walking and cycling routes from the town to the south and Semington.
• Improving air quality and reduced traffic noise on existing A350 through Beanacre and Melksham.
• Improving access to local services, shops, amenities and schools with the removal of through traffic.
• Reducing severance impacts on communities in Beanacre and northern Melksham caused by high traffic volumes.
• Creating opportunities for town centre regeneration

The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) established the strategic need for the scheme. The proposals are now being developed in more detail to identify a preferred option. The information in the SOBC will be updated in the Outline Business Case currently being developed.

You can see the route options, and the reasoning behind them, in the downloadable PDF on this page. Please note: all route options are indicative and do not show the exact route that any road may take. If and when a preferred route is decided on, the specifics of the route would be subject to full statutory consultation.

At this stage route corridors have been identified, and with some of them there could be wide variations with regard to where the route could go within the corridor. This is shown on the plans by wider shaded areas at those locations. As the scheme design progresses the routes will become better defined as a result of the consultations and further investigations currently underway.

With the next stage of consultation, which are likely to be next year, it should be possible to provide significantly more detail in connection with the route or routes still be taken forward. This should include more detailed mapping to help define the proposed route or routes.

The possibility of a route south of the canal was suggested at the Melksham Area Board in March 2020, and it was considered appropriate to consider this option at an early stage as it had been suggested. It is important that all options are considered in identifying a preferred option.

Yes. A wide range of route options have been identified for consultation, but further feasible routes or variations would be considered. 

Yes. The consultation document available as a PDF file describes options 1 to 6, which are non-bypass options. These include Workplace parking levy, Road user pricing, Heavy goods vehicles restrictions, public transport and active travel modes. 

If approved, and depending on the choice of route, the scheme could cost in the region of £135 million.

Wiltshire Council would not be able to fund a scheme of this type from its own resources. It would be necessary to bid for funding from the Department of Transport (DfT) and to make the case for the scheme by preparing a business case which would include the cost and economic benefits. The decision regarding funding for the scheme would be made by the DfT after considering the business case.

No, funding contributions from developers have been identified at this stage. Any planning applications by others will be considered on their merits in accordance with the regulations and relevant guidance and policy. The policy position at present reflects the adopted Core Strategy and this is being reviewed and will result in a revised Local Plan scheduled to be adopted before commencement of works on site to deliver the scheme.

Through development of the Local Plan, a transport evidence base will be produced, and this will propose mitigation measures to support housing development being brought forward. Should the evidence base provide a direct linkage between housing delivery and the need for Wiltshire's A350 improvement schemes, such as the bypass, then Local Plan policy may reflect this and provide material support for the collection of contributions towards the cost of the scheme.

As well as the public, the town and parish councils, Area Board, local businesses and other organisations will be invited to comment on the scheme and the options. This will include the Environment Agency, Natural England, Highways Agency, and other organisations with specialist knowledge.

No. The consultation is not a public 'vote' for the most popular route or option. There are many factors to be taken into account in determining the preferred option, including, landscape, archaeology, ecology, air quality, flood risk, environment, cost and benefits. The preferred option may be a variation of the options currently being consulted on as the design could be refined in response to the consultation.

No. This is a non-statutory consultation on the scheme at a very early stage. Further consultation will take place, especially in connection with the planning application and any statutory orders required for the scheme after the proposals have been developed in more detail.

The responses will be analysed and summarised in a report to the council's Cabinet which will be publicly available. The information collected will help to inform the development of the detailed proposals, which will be the subject of further consultations.

It is intended to adopt a preferred route in early summer next year, subject to the outcome of the consultation. The large number of routes being consulted on may create uncertainty over a wide geographical area, and it is important to reduce this uncertainty as soon as possible.

The adoption of a Preferred Option will be a matter for Wiltshire Council's Cabinet. It should be noted that the statutory orders to construct the scheme are likely to be the subject of a Public Inquiry, the results of which will be considered by the Secretary of State.

No. The cost of the options is taken into account in considering the economic case, but a more expensive options may deliver better benefits in terms of reduced vehicle operating costs and improved road safety. The environmental factors would also be important considerations in determining a preferred route.

New purpose built roads and bridges generally do not have the maintenance problems associated with the older roads that have evolved over the years and were never envisaged to carry the volume and types of traffic now using them. Maintenance costs are taken into account in assessing route options but are not usually a major consideration compared to the other factors.

Some of the route options would cross rivers, watercourses, railways or the canal. These would require substantial structures which would add significantly to the costs of route, and allowances for these are being made in the option costs.

Yes. Construction costs are being prepared and compared for each of the route options on the same basis, including allowances for the costs of bridges and other associated works such as drainage, signs and lining. At this stage factors would be applied to represent the risks and unknowns associated with the scheme, and design and development costs would be included. As the scheme progresses the cost estimates would be refined and the economic case for the scheme reviewed.

The option costs are estimated on the same basis using a common price base. These can then be adjusted according to the latest predictions of inflation for future years, when the expenditure is likely to be incurred. The scheme benefits are likely to arise over a significant number of years in the future, and these too are discounted back to a common base year in order to derive a cost benefit ratio for the scheme. The factors and allowances for inflation are updated by the Department for Transport from time to time as additional information becomes available.

Generally, the cost of previous schemes, or works already completed and paid for, are not considered in the cost benefit analysis as these are considered to be sunk costs. The business case looks at the costs still to be incurred and the benefits likely to arise in the future.

The options will be assessed in accordance with the Department of Transport's Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG). This methodology and guidance are the standard approach to assessing major transport schemes of this type, and the information is regularly updated by DfT.

There is no predetermined formula to weight scores because different environmental factors may not be directly comparable with each other, or with economic and road safety aspects. The intention is to build up a framework of the individual assessments in order to get an overview to assist option selection. The options will also be assessed against the objectives for the scheme.

Yes. When the scheme has been designed in more detail, including mitigation measures, a full environmental impact assessment will be undertaken as part of the planning application for the scheme.

The impact of the scheme would be considered in the light of emerging policies and strategies at Government and local level. The reduced traffic congestion, better facilities for active travel, and improved road safety would be expected to reduce energy consumption as a result of the scheme. This is likely to vary between the different options and will be assessed as part of the options appraisal process. There would be scope for the use of energy efficient plant, materials and processes to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction stage of the scheme.

The potential effects of climate change will be taken into account in the design of the scheme. This would include making allowances for increased rainfall and flood risk, as well as the use of more durable materials to provide resilience in connection with increased temperatures and other impacts of climate change.

As well as reducing journey times and delays, the scheme would provide significant opportunities for enhanced walking and cycling between Melksham town centre and the railway station and other parts of the town. Indeed, the provision of a bypass would be expected to help reduce traffic flows along the existing A350 corridor and in the town centre itself, and through this allow for a more pleasant and connected environment with opportunity for walking and cycling improvements.

The various route options will have different impacts on the landscape and the countryside, and they will require different mitigation measures. These will have to considered in identifying a preferred option. The development of the Preferred Option would include a package of landscaping proposals to help mitigate the impact on the landscape.

The business case for the scheme will need to consider a range of traffic growth scenarios for both high and low growth. It is anticipated that the Government will revise future traffic and economic growth figures in view of recent events, and the scheme will be assessed on the basis of any revised Government predictions.

The scheme has the potential to improve road safety and reduce the number killed and seriously injured on our roads. The removal of through traffic from residential areas could reduce traffic noise and air pollution with consequent health benefits for residents, but some of the options could also have the potential to introduce traffic into previously unaffected areas and may have other detrimental effects. The options assessment and business case for the scheme will take these impacts into consideration.

A Wiltshire Traffic Model has been created which covers the wide area of the county. This computer model makes use of a large number of traffic counts across the highway network. It is not just based on traffic counts in the Melksham area. This allows schemes and proposals across the county to be modelled with a high degree of accuracy, and enables the computer modelling of combinations of road and development proposals to be assessed. Having robust data to inform options appraisal is an important part of the scheme assessment process.

There are Major Road Network schemes on the A350 at M4 Junction 17 and Chippenham Bypass Phases 4 and 5, which would be included in the traffic modelling, as well as consideration of potential schemes in connection with development such as Future Chippenham and the Yarnbrook to West Ashton Relief Road. Various scenarios may need to be modelled in view of the uncertainties connected with these schemes.

The scheme is being prepared in accordance with Department for Transport (DfT) guidance. The traffic modelling will be reviewed by DfT during the development of the scheme to ensure that the modelling and economic assessments are robust. The business case for the scheme will be assessed by experts at the DfT before funding for the scheme is awarded.

The emerging Local Plan is expected to result in proposals for additional housing in the county in order to meet Government targets. The nature and location of this will be determined by the Local Plan process, which will use a similar traffic model to the scheme to ensure consistency. The traffic modelling for the Melksham Bypass will be rerun and reviewed as further information on growth and future traffic movements becomes available.

Induced traffic can occur when there is a suppressed travel demand, especially because of severe congestion on a network. This can result in an additional increase in traffic. This is not usually a major factor in Wiltshire because in most places the level of congestion is not as severe as in many predominantly urban areas. However, the traffic modelling being carried out will consider this aspect, including taking into account other improvements on the network. On the A350 the main factor influencing traffic growth on the network is expected to be from population growth, particularly in connection with housing and employment expansion in the corridor.

It is likely to be a single carriageway, but this may depend on the traffic flows associated with particular options. It is possible that provision for future dualling could be included where justified, as has been the case with other schemes on the A350 in Wiltshire.

It is anticipated that the route would be designed as far as possible to the national speed limit, which is currently 60mph for a single carriageway. It would be designed to current Department for Transport standards for a road of this type, and it is expected that consideration would be given to the changes necessary to convert it to a dual carriageway if necessary.

It is likely that the junctions would be roundabouts or traffic signal controlled junctions, but this would depend on the traffic flows with each option. It is unlikely that the use of grade separated junctions with slip roads would be justified with the currently anticipated traffic flows on the main route and the side roads.

Where routes cross footpaths and rights of way, arrangements would be made to provide crossing facilities where practicable, which could include bridges or underpasses. In some cases, rights of way may be diverted to safe crossing points at agricultural or accommodation overbridges or underpasses. The amenity value of rights of way is appreciated, especially those close to urban areas, and as far as possible the severance of routes would be avoided. Pedestrian, equestrian and cyclist crossing facilities could also be provided at junctions where traffic speeds would be lower.

It is unlikely that a cycle route would be provided along the bypass, but facilities could be included along the bypassed road, linking to a wider network of routes within the town. Proposals for cycling improvements in the town would be developed in parallel with the proposed scheme.

Routes across agricultural land could potentially sever farm holdings and affect agricultural operations. Refinement of the route options, including changes to the alignment, could reduce these impacts, and the provision of bridges or underpasses, especially if also used by rights of way could also help, but where this is not feasible it may have to be treated as a compensation matter. The current consultation is seeking to obtain information on land use in order to understand how potential impacts could be reduced.

The potential Wilts and Berks canal is shown as one of the route constraints on the consultation information. As both schemes progress the exact arrangements will become more defined.

It would be expected that major junctions and roundabouts would have street lighting for safety reasons. The majority of the route would be unlikely to be lit.

Landscaping and planting would be included in the scheme where it would help to reduce the visual impact. The exact arrangements would be determined as part of the detailed design, taking into account the local environment and landscape. The creation of ponds and wildlife habitats would also be included in the proposals where there are opportunities for enhancement.

The assessment of route options in connection with the Outline Business Case will consider the environmental aspects of the proposed scheme and any potential mitigation measures. The current consultations and information being collected, including walk over surveys, will help inform the design of the proposals to reduce the impact of the scheme.

Yes. Information on the known archaeology in the area is being used to inform options appraisal. As the scheme develops more specialist investigations and surveys may need to be carried out. This could include excavations and other survey methods in order to get a full understanding of appropriate measures required in connection with the scheme. Specialist advice will be sought in connection with the proposals.

There are clearly some air quality issues in connection with the existing road. The effects on traffic flows and air quality as a result of the scheme will be considered and will form part of the assessment in the Outline Business Case.

The removal of through traffic from existing roads would reduce traffic noise for nearby properties, but some of the route options could increase traffic noise for other properties or introduce traffic noise into currently comparatively quiet areas of countryside. The options assessment process will include consideration of these potential impacts.

Any river or watercourse crossings would need to be designed so as not to increase flood risk and would include an allowance for predicted climate change. The drainage arrangements for the scheme would have to consider flood risk as well as water quality. It is likely that substantial bridges would be required at river crossings and where routes cross floodplains.

A full drainage scheme would be developed, which would include consideration of water quality and treatment. Often soakaways are the preferred means of disposing of surface water, but these are unlikely to be feasible in this area. It is expected that the water would be collected by pipes and ditches, and then directed to holding ponds to limit the flow into watercourse or rivers, and to provide the opportunity to remove silt and pollutants. The design of outfalls from drainage systems would take into account the ecological value of the receiving watercourses.

The walk over surveys and associated work forms a small element of the extensive investigation and assessment work which needs to be carried out for a scheme of this type. The information gathered will augment the currently available environmental information. The walk over survey is being carried out over a wide area as the wider environmental and landscape issues over the whole area as well as adjacent to the routes need to be considered.

Once the scheme has planning permission, negotiations will be entered in to with affected land owners to agree terms for the purchase of the necessary land. If required a Compulsory Purchase Order may be used, which could result in a Public Inquiry where an Independent Inspector would consider the evidence and make a recommendation to the secretary of State regarding the orders.

The construction of the scheme will depend on the successful completion of the statutory procedures. It is currently anticipated that construction would start in 2024, with the scheme opening in 2027.

It is hoped to bid for funds to improve the A350 at Westbury, but this scheme will fall into a further round of government funding, which is unlikely to begin until 2025.

Yes. The Outline Business Case, which is currently being developed, and the supporting documentation will be available to the public.

Yes. There will be a planning application following the submission of the Outline Business Case should the scheme proceed. This would include full details of the proposed scheme with supporting information. The scheme would be the subject of statutory consultation at the planning application stage.

It is likely that a scheme of this type would require a Compulsory Purchase Order and other statutory orders, which could result in a Public Inquiry. An Independent Inspector would then make a report to the Secretary of State for a decision.