Cycling schemes in Salisbury and Chippenham to be removed in early March

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that two cycle lanes, in Salisbury and Chippenham, will begin to be removed 1 March, conditions permitting, while three other schemes will be made permanent, and two new schemes are in development.

The decision on these schemes has been formally made by Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, after the 'calling in' period, which enabled other councillors and members of the public to submit their comments, came to an end. It was based on the results of a public consultation, along with other factors such as deliverability and compliance to Department for Transport (DfT) cycling standards.

The two schemes to be removed, on Brown Street and Exeter Street in Salisbury, and on the A420 in Chippenham, will now be taken out from 1 March, though the start date may be delayed until later in the week if there are unfavourable weather conditions, as lines need to be repainted when parking bays are reinstated.

Three further schemes that are already in place, on Monkton Hill in Chippenham, on the A361 Hilperton Road in Trowbridge, and a segregated cycleway and footway on the B3108 between Winsley and Bradford on Avon, will be made permanent.

The council is also looking to progress two further cycling schemes with DfT Active Travel Funding - an Easton Lane cycle link between Chippenham and Corsham, and a scheme linking Hilperton to Melksham via Semington. It will be holding a further consultation on these two proposed schemes in the near future.

Cllr Wayman said: "We are committed to promoting cycling and walking in Wiltshire, as active travel improves health, air quality and the environment.

"These schemes were installed on existing bus routes to enable more people to safely cycle instead of using public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have listened to public feedback, and as such our teams will begin to remove the cycle lanes on Brown Street and Exeter Street in Salisbury, and on the A420 in Chippenham on Monday 1 March, though this may be delayed until later that week, depending on the weather.

"We are also looking to make the schemes on Monkton Hill in Chippenham, the A361 Hilperton Road in Trowbridge, and the B3108 between Winsley and Bradford on Avon permanent, and we are developing plans to do this.

"We'll be holding another consultation on two new schemes between Chippenham and Corsham, and Hilperton and Melksham, in the coming weeks."