Cabinet to consider feedback on A350 Melksham bypass project

At its meeting on Tuesday 30 November, Cabinet will consider feedback from town and parish councils, other stakeholders and the public, after the second consultation on the A350 Melksham bypass project.

The council's executive will also consider the financial implications of proceeding with the scheme and the possibility of improving walking and cycling facilities in the area, either as part of the scheme or separately.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "We had a similar response rate to our second consultation as we did to the first, with 760 questionnaire responses and 480 emails most recently, compared to 1,018 responses and 175 emails during the first consultation.

"Local contributors and stakeholders made some valuable comments about the scheme, particularly about the route, and Cabinet will consider this, along with whether to submit the outline business case to the DfT.

"There is still a long way to go for this scheme, and we will look at it again once we have feedback from DfT and once we know the outcome of National Highways' north-south connectivity study, which will look at routes between the M4 and the south coast. This is likely to be in the summer of 2022.

"We'll also look at the financial aspect. Although this project would mostly be funded by the Government, if it goes ahead there would also have to be a contribution from the council.

"A bypass on the A350 at Melksham would reduce congestion for local residents and businesses, and improve journey times on this important route through Wiltshire, which serves as a key regional link from the M4 to the port of Poole."

After the original consultation, held from 4 November 2020 to 17 January 2021, sought views on a long list of route options, the second consultation, from 23 June to 8 August, asked what people thought of option 10C, with three different variations at the north of the proposed scheme.

You can read the Cabinet papers (opens new window), and find out more about the scheme on our website.