Wiltshire Council and Bradford on Avon Town Council to make changes to town's social distancing scheme

Following feedback from residents and businesses, Wiltshire Council and Bradford on Avon Town Council have agreed to make changes to the town's social distancing scheme.

The traffic lights on the Town Bridge, which were implemented to allow pedestrians to safely social distance while walking across the bridge, will be removed to allow traffic to travel across the bridge in both directions. Pedestrians can follow the directional signage to cross the Town Bridge safely, and there is also an alternative route for pedestrians across the river via McKeever Bridge.

The rest of the temporary one-way system in the town will remain in place for the life of the scheme, which is expected to last at least six months, and potentially up to 18 months.

The scheme has been designed and implemented by Wiltshire Council at the request of the town council, which paid for the scheme.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "Since this scheme was implemented, we have been clear that we would monitor the traffic flows and listen to the feedback of residents and businesses.

"Based on this feedback, it is evident that changes are needed to the scheme and we feel that the removal of the traffic lights on the Town Bridge will ensure that the return to school is as stress-free as possible, while we study the scheme to establish what is required to meet the needs of pedestrians and motorists.

"Our contractors will now remove the traffic lights, and they're also installing semi-permanent bollards on Market Street and Silver Street this week to improve the scheme."

Cllr Dom Newton, Leader of Bradford on Avon Town Council and Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee, said: "Wiltshire Council has notified us that in the interests of children returning to school this week, they are suspending the alternate one-way on the bridge for the immediate future.

"We will continue to review and revise the system with Wiltshire Council."

As part of the one-way system that remains in operation, traffic that approaches the Town Bridge from the south will then have to turn left, one-way up Market Street; while traffic can only travel one-way down Silver Street from the north. Additional space for pedestrians has been provided to help shoppers, residents and visitors to socially distance.