We use cookies to collect information about how you use wiltshire.gov.uk. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.
Lyneham Banks landslip information and ongoing updates
In February 2022, a major landslip occurred on the B4069 at Lyneham Banks. Throughout 2022 we monitored ground movements to find a suitable window to access the site safely and undertake intrusive surveys. Following a period of significantly reduced ground movement during Summer 2022 we were able to access the site and begin these investigations.
You can receive updates from the Lyneham Banks Newsletter by signing-up to the Wiltshire Council newsletter, and ticking the box for Lyneham Banks.
Traffic Management
In November 2022 a series of traffic management changes were made to the roads around the B4069. This followed reports of a high number of unsuitable vehicles using the local roads around Lyneham, Bradenstoke and the surrounding parishes. The main changes were:
introduction of a new one way (Northbound only) on Clack Hill
introduction of new waiting restrictions at the southern end of Clack Hill
40mph speed limits and 7.5T weight limits introduced on three local roads (Bowds lane, Trow lane and Cheesley Hill)
Ground Investigations
Ground Investigations took place at the end of 2022, and the information will help Wiltshire Council to gain a better understanding of how the land failed and to develop design options for repairing the road. The initial investigations have now been completed and a ground investigation report is being prepared to outline the findings. Wiltshire Council are now looking at options for repairing the road.
Programme
Stage of programme
Timescales
Ground investigations
Ongoing - winter 2022
Design work
Spring 2023 - winter 2023/24
Procurement
Winter 2023/24 - Spring 2024
Construction
Spring 2024 - TBC
Frequently asked questions
The B4069 Lyneham Banks is currently closed to both vehicles and pedestrians due to a major land slip on the road. It is completely inaccessible and impassable for all motor vehicles and bicycles, and anyone who breaks through the fences to access the site on foot is putting themselves in danger of serious harm. Anyone who accesses the site is also in breach of the Traffic Order and could be prosecuted.
We have not yet confirmed the cause of the landslip, but we are undertaking geotechnical surveys to establish the cause and find a suitable solution to repairing and reopening the road.
We cannot give a date that the road will reopen at present. Following the ground investigations and subsequent testing we will have a better understanding of how and why the landslip occurred and what will be required to re-build the road.
Drone surveys have taken place between March and October to understand the extent of the landslip and to determine whether the land is still moving. We are now in a position where ground investigations can be undertaken to help understand how the slip occurred and how the road can be redesigned. A number of desktop exercises have also been completed to explore the background to the issue and look at the next step of the project.
We are still determining what caused the issue and how to resolve it and restore the road. This is a major highways engineering project, and as such it will take a long time to restore the road.
While assessment work is still going on, we don't yet know what the full cost of restoring the road will be. However, it will be significant.
Funding for the repairs will likely have to come from Wiltshire Councils road maintenance funding. There isn't currently a source of funding available from the Department of Transport, but this will be explored further when the costs have been identified.
We have installed permanent signage to inform road users of the official diversion route, which takes the A3102 and the A4. The following measures will also be implemented to further help the traffic issues in the surrounding area:
Clack Hill now has a one-way traffic restriction in place with no entry from the B4069
double yellow lines will be implemented at the junction of Clack Hill and Hollow Way to protect the junction
temporary speed limits on Hollow Way - 40mph, 30mph and 20mph on different sections - and a 40mph limit on Sodom Lane
speed and weight limits on Bowd's Lane, Trow Lane, and Cheesley Hill
speed reduction on the A3102 at the junction of Bowd's Lane
additional temporary signage around the local road network over the coming weeks
We are also looking at the impacts on the wider road network as a result of the closure.
No, it is extremely dangerous and people should not attempt to access the site on foot, by bicycle or on a skateboard. Anyone who accesses the site is also in breach of the Traffic Order and could be prosecuted.
No other roads are directly affected or closed by the landslip. However, we have introduced some restrictions on Clack Hill and Hollow Way to stop these single-track roads being used by large volumes of traffic.
Yes, access to local businesses has been maintained, and we would encourage people to continue to support businesses that may be affected by this emergency closure.
