It’s getting worse. Some days Marlborough shudders to a halt – due to roadworks, small hold-ups, cars and vans with punctures resulting from potholes etc. – and of course, as background, there are always the incessant HGVs – particularly going North – South. At times, Herd Street could almost be called ‘Hell Street’.
But finally, an ‘Exclusive’. Our intrepid Investigative Reporter has uncovered as yet secret plans to rid us of much of this unremitting stream of traffic, particularly those of the largest and heaviest variety of truck rumbling through Marlborough and creating pollution, delays, possible danger and occasional damage.
We’ve been able to discover that there are plans being drawn up for a North – South bypass, possibly through Savernake, something that might enable drivers from West Marlborough to reach Tesco, and then get home before next morning breakfast…. OK, slight exaggeration maybe, but for anyone in Barton Park there are times when Tesco in Calne sounds like a far more attractive idea.
Could this be the way forward?
Lorries are getting bigger, and heavier. In 1964 the maximum weight for a ‘Lorry’ (now called an HGV – Heavy Goods Vehicle) was increased from 24 tons to 32 tons. Over the years the weight limit was gradually increased, currently 44 tonnes, and soon to increase to 48 tonnes. In a decade on from now – who knows what the maximum weight will be….? But we’ll all feel it.
Very soon, where the ‘Air Balloon’ until recently stood at Birdlip, beside the roundabout which was preceded by a stretch of two lane road between the end of the dual carriageway that passes Swindon A419 / A417 and the junction of the M5 – 11A will all be bypassed and the road will be dual carriageway from the M4 J15 near to Swindon all the way to the M5, and then, Midlands, the North and then Scotland. That will inevitably hit Marlborough as the HGVs don’t like the A34 to the east, or the A36 / A350 to the west.
The plans are, we understand for a new road to start at the northern end of the Burbage bypass, cross the Kennet & Avon canal and railway line, traverse through Savernake, cross over the A4 and meet up with the old Roman road to the South of Ogbourne St George. So cutting Marlborough, Cadley, Ogbourne St Andrew out altogether (see pic). Not definite yet, still in the planning ‘melting pot’ stage but so far, regarded as THE solution to Marlborough’s traffic woes. Something we’ve uncovered. Any better suggestions?
Whilst residents of Herd Street, Salisbury Road and London Road will (literally) be able to breathe deep sighs of relief (yes, without coughing from the nagging invasive pollution but enjoying the oxygen in the air), what will this mean for Savernake? Could this have been one reason why closing the Forest roads to traffic was being suggested a while back?
“That’s appalling” exclaimed Lord Cardigan, the heritage owner of the Savernake Forest when he discovered the existence of the plan. He added: “We need to deal with the traffic problems in Marlborough, things will get much worse over coming years unless something radical is done, but Savernake Forest? The Forest is sacrosanct, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as being the ‘lungs’ of the Marlborough area.”
It is a little-known historical fact that Savernake is where King Henry VIII met and courted Jane Seymour, later to be his wife and mother to King Edward VI. Her family home was Wolf Hall on the edge of the Forest, and Henry saw Savernake Forest as an excellent hunting ground.
So the Marlborough North-South by-pass will have to contend with history. And today’s monsters, tomorrow’s ‘behemoths’ of the roads, the enormous HGVs trundling up and down the route through the Forest, will follow the same footsteps of Forest land once trodden by another titan of his age, Henry VIII.
WAPG charity Easter Road Run delights
