Wiltshire Council starts work on Melksham Oak footpath and cycleway

Wiltshire Council has started preparations to build the new Melksham Oak footpath and cycleway.

Once complete, the shared use path will provide safe, sustainable transport routes for both pedestrians and cyclists, creating an essential link between Melksham Oak Community School and the surrounding community areas.

The path will be three metres wide and the first phase will extend from the relief road on the new East Melksham development, across nearby fields and connect to Melksham Oak school and the Woolmore Farm site. The work is expected to be completed by spring 2025.

Following this, phase two is intended to see the construction of the final section from the northern boundary of Woolmore Farm to the A365 Bath Road. As this is part of the Woolmore Farm development plans, and is led by the housing developer, the council does not have any control over the timeframes and so a completion date is to be confirmed.

The initial preparatory work for phase one will include construction of a service access to the site, vegetation clearance and fencing to protect trees in the area. Once these preparations are complete, the main work to build the path will begin early in the new year, subject to suitable ground conditions.

The initial work for the first phase of the project will, at times, require temporary traffic management to be in place for a period to control access to and from the site.

Councillor Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: This project is a fantastic step forward in our commitment to creating safe, accessible, and environmentally friendly travel options for the Melksham community.

It will significantly benefit students, residents, and visitors alike, providing healthier and more sustainable travel options and strengthening connectivity across our community, enabling more people to leave their car at home should they wish to do so.

The new path meets our Business Plan commitment to having vibrant, well-connected communities as we seek to build an efficient and effective transport network with viable alternatives to the car.