Upgrade of pedestrian crossings on A4 in Box to begin this July

The first scheme will take place at A4 High Street and will see the upgrade of an existing zebra pedestrian crossing to a puffin signal-controlled pedestrian crossing. It will also include improvements to the adjacent footways and carriageway surface. Construction will start on Monday 22 July and is anticipated to take approximately three weeks to complete.

Funding for the scheme is from the council's Taking Action on School Journeys (TAOSJ) and was granted following concerns raised by nearby Box Primary School. The funding is designed to be used to reduce the potential for pedestrian and vehicle conflicts and help encourage sustainable journeys to school.

On completion of the High Street crossing, a second scheme will take place on A4 London Road to refurbish the existing zebra pedestrian crossing facility, install a new bus shelter and upgrade the street furniture. Work will also include the removal of central refuge islands and localised widening of footways. This scheme is scheduled to start on Monday 12 August for approximately five weeks.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: We apologise in advance for any inconvenience or delays caused by these works, but it is essential to refurbish and upgrade these pedestrian crossings, making them both safer for all road users. Box Primary School has expressed concerns about the safety of their pupils with the current layout and the crossing at London Road has been in place for a number of years and is in need of upgrading.

As part of our business plan, we are committed to making improving safety and investing in Wiltshire's roads, and this refurbishment project helps to achieve these aims.

Traffic management will be in place during both phases of the works, consisting of two-way traffic signals and temporary pedestrian crossings. There will be a road closure during the evenings between 22 to 26 July and a full diversion route will be in place for traffic. During the second phase there will be no access to A4 London Road from either Mill Lane or Bulls Lane, with localised diversions in place.

Upon completion of both crossing improvement schemes, carriageway surfacing work is scheduled to take place. There will be a short delay between the completion of the crossing improvements and carriageway resurfacing works due to an existing road closure scheduled on the A36 by National Highways of which the A4 through Box forms part of the diversion route.  The surfacing works are anticipated to be carried out towards the end of October with a temporary evening road closure.