Lyneham Banks: council announces new traffic measures as major ground survey work begins

The B4069 has been closed since February 2022, when a major landslip caused the road to move significantly from its original location. Since the closure, HGVs have been using Clack Hill in Bradenstoke, a narrow road that is unsuitable for large vehicles, and so the council introduced a weight limit on the hill in March and monitored the HGV usage.

This hasn't resolved the issue, so the council asked the local community for their views and, after carefully considering feedback, has decided to make Clack Hill one-way from Monday 17 October, with no entry from the B4069. Double yellow lines will also be implemented at the junction of Clack Hill and Hollow Way to protect the junction, and these will also become enforceable from Monday 17 October.

From Monday 31 October, the council will also introduce temporary speed limits on Hollow Way - 40mph, 30mph and 20mph on different sections - and a 40mph limit on Sodom Lane.

The council is also installing additional temporary signage around the local road network over the coming weeks.

Other measures are also planned, including speed and weight limits on Bowd's Lane, Trow Lane, and Chessley Hill, and a speed reduction on the A3102 at the junction of Bowd's Lane. These additional measures will be introduced as soon as practically possible, likely to be during November.

Meanwhile, ground investigations will begin on site from Monday 17 October, as two large rigs will begin to drill boreholes into the landslip and surrounding area. Investigations will also include undertaking a number of trial holes and water sampling in the area to help understand the makeup of the ground material.

Samples taken from the ground investigation will then be examined and sent away to laboratories for further testing. The results will help to determine the next steps forward for the project by providing vital information that will allow the road to be re-designed.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "We know how frustrating the closure of Lyneham Banks is for the local community, but this a huge logistical undertaking, and we're working hard to design and build the replacement road.

"We're listening to the local community's concerns to help ease traffic issues in the area, and that's why we're making changes to the nearby road network and making Clack Hill one way. We'll continue to monitor this and, in partnership with the community, make further changes if required.

"To progress the project, we've been taking drone surveys of the site on a regular basis, and it's only recently that the road has stopped moving, making it safe for the heavy machinery to move in and begin the ground investigations work required.

"Once the ground investigations have been completed, we can test the samples and use this as the basis for the designs of the new road."

To find out more about the B4069 Lyneham Banks project, people should go to: B4069 Lyneham Banks

Notes to editors:

As well as the changes to the road network, there are also road closures planned for pre surface dressing patching work during November. The following roads will be closed:

• Chessley Hill, Grittenham, 2-7 November
• Trow Lane and Bowds Lane, Lyneham, 7-13 November (consecutively closures)