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Wiltshire Council to trial opening High Street in Calne to vehicles one way

Initial investigation work is due to start on Calne High Street in the coming weeks, as Wiltshire Council looks to reopen the road to vehicles one way, south from Wood Street to Curzon Street.

Published 1 August 2024

Initial investigation work is due to start on Calne High Street in the coming weeks, as Wiltshire Council looks to reopen the road to vehicles one way, south from Wood Street to Curzon Street.

The trial changes are being made to improve air quality in the town, particularly on The Square, where the priority road narrowing causes traffic queues, and has also seen drivers attempting dangerous passes and mounting kerbs.

Following the investigation work - during which time High Street will remain pedestrianised, as it currently is - it is expected that the council will begin the work to open the road to vehicles before the end of the year.

The work is being completed under an experimental temporary traffic order (ETRO), which means that the changes will be in place for up to 18 months before the council makes a decision on whether to make the scheme permanent or revert the street back to prevent vehicles from using it.

During the ETRO period, people can let the council know their views, and these comments will be considered before any decision is made on the future of the scheme.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "We want to improve the air quality in Calne and also help to relieve some of the traffic issues on The Square, which is why we're trailing opening High Street to traffic, one way from north to south.

"This is an experiment that will be in place for up to 18 months, and during that time we will look at both data and the effect on the local highways network, along with the views of local people, before deciding whether to make the scheme permanent.

"We're expecting to start work on installing the changes before the end of the year, and once this process starts and the experimental temporary traffic order is live, I'd urge people to let us know their views, so we can see what works and what may need further changes.

"As set out in our Business Plan, we are committed to having well connected communities here in Wiltshire, and we hope that these changes will help to improve both the air quality and traffic flow in Calne."

Once the trial scheme is in place, traffic heading south down Wood Street will be able to then move down High Street and turn left on to Curzon Street - vehicles exiting High Street will be able to turn left only. Any vehicles heading west from Wood Street and on to The Square will then need to turn right on the mini roundabout along Curzon Street and then west along the A4.

Because of the experimental nature of the scheme, the council will look to tarmac the centre of High Street for vehicles and install temporary physical barriers on each side of the road to help keep pedestrians safe. The disabled parking currently on High Street will be suspended during the scheme. The tree planters currently on High Street will be moved to the side footway areas or other more suitable areas in the town.

The scheme is expected to cost around £100,000, with the funding coming from the council's general highways funding.

Later in 2025, the council will be upgrading the traffic lights on the A4 and Church Street, but the temporary scheme will have had several months to bed in before the work begins on the traffic lights, which should last up to two weeks.

Once the ETRO has been published, it will be available for people to comment on at Traffic Regulation Order consultations.

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