Great West Way project – what will this do to congestion and parking in the town?

Sirs,

As a Marlborough resident, I know only too well about the congestion and parking issues which are ongoing in this town.  This is a serious problem which I fear is not going to be resolved anytime soon.  So you can imagine my concerns when I read at length the article concerning the Great West Way project, and the involvement of Marlborough Town Council.

We cannot automatically assume that extra visitors to the town will be arriving as part of an organized coach party.  It has to be expected that extra traffic and congestion would be generated throughout the town as a whole.  This will inevitably lead to further parking problems, not just for the visitors but also for the residents and local shoppers.

To quote:  `Marlborough Town Council are working with the Great West Way Ambassador Network as an Official Destination on the route – to make sure the town is firmly pinned to the Great West Way visitor map`.

Surely this is counter-productive?  How can Marlborough Town Council actively encourage more visitors to the town when it is obvious that congestion and parking are major factors which need to be addressed as a priority?  Any extra visitors may indeed be happy to spend time and money in the town, but where exactly are they supposed to park?

Yours,

Roger Mallett,
Marlborough