‘Effectively gridlock by 2041’ was the summarised prognosis that emerged from a report into Marlborough and traffic conducted by AtkinsRéalis last year. A ‘wake up and smell the coffee’ moment for many, especially those involved in planning and management of traffic in the town, but also for residents of Marlborough, particularly, and also those who will drive through Marlborough on a regular basis.
We know traffic is bad. Hold-ups have stopped becoming news – it’s an almost everyday event. Even when there are no impediments (i.e. roadworks), just a single breakdown can grind much to a stop. Add in one – or more – roadworks and unless in the middle of the night, traffic can easily shudder to a halt. Any such roadworks in key locations (Salisbury Road, George Lane, London Rd between Wye House and Bridge Garage) will have even greater and more dramatic effect. And this is now. 2041 is still sixteen years into the future. The AtkinsRéalis survey takes several scenarios – ‘Do Nothing; and ‘Do Something 1, 2 and 3’. Even the most optimistic doesn’t give much comfort. The report can be accessed – and downloaded here.
This report, produced by experts, may be an accurate and useful guide. But what about vision from those who can influence what happens here, from those ‘on the ground’ and in touch with daily life in Marlborough? We asked both Wiltshire Councillors – Jane Davies (Marlborough West), Kym-Marie Cleasby (Marlborough East) and Town Clerk (in effect the CEO of Marlborough Town) Richard Spencer-Williams.
We asked about what could – or should – be done to alleviate the possible nightmare scenarios of the AtkinsRéalis future.
Not surprisingly there was no single easy action to make all good. Unless the piece we ran last year about the ‘planned Marlborough Bypass’ were to happen, but that was published on 1 April.
All agree that ‘De-priming’ the North-South A346 arterial road could possibly have the greatest beneficial effect. A major part of the traffic problems are due to the HGVs that trundle up and down, from (and to) the South Coast ports and the Midlands, North West and Scotland. A hope was, that following the recent ‘dive’ into the Kennet & Avon Canal by a Dutch carrot lorry on the narrow twisting section of the bridge across the canal and rail lines, ‘De-priming’ would follow, along with a weight restriction (or length, or width) for that bridge. Stop this route being an arterial North – South HGV ‘trundle-way’ and many of the problems would disappear. Not all, but….
Jane Davies offers one way of alleviating some of the roadworks hell. Part of the problem is that the Utility cos. can do what they want, when they want and take as long over each job as they want. I.e. the most cost effective ‘fix’ for them. This doesn’t happen in London. The difference there – and Jane is lobbying to get this changed – is that in London the Utilities have to ‘rent’ the roads, which has the effect of incentivising those Utilities to get the jobs done as quickly as possible (working 24hrs if feasible) so that their costs are minimised. If that can be imposed here – certainly would make a difference.
Jane has also been very active in trying to get the cycleway – following part of the former rail line sorted, and some of the paths. At the recent Planning committee meeting (Monday 4 August) it was noted that the path (Footpath 30) from Marleberg Grange over to Cherry Orchard is finally going to be widened, sorted and made useable. This project, and the cycle path have been long under discussion and ‘planning’, but finally it will become easier for residents to walk or cycle into town rather than having to jump into the car to get to Waitrose, Tesco, or just reach the High Street area. Also help keep us all fitter.
Richard Spencer-Williams, Town Clerk asks the question: “how can traffic ’flow’ be maintained, and how can the volume be reduced? This challenge needs to put back to those with the power and authority to work jointly to achieve this wherever possible, and also challenge the matter of ‘volume’ asking ‘can this be reduced or is it necessary in the first place?’ – are there viable alternatives solutions that need more investment?” Getting right back to the core of any Roadworks decision – is this, with all the disruption the right way to proceed?
In summary, no one simple easly deliverable solution. De-priming the A346 top of the list, and creating a weight restriction at some point (is the bridge on London Rd by the garage really able to take the weight of a full HGV – and safely on a long-term basis?) is priority. Beyond that plenty of consideration leading to ideas and ways of alleviating the problems (not least the ‘rent’ for roadworks space and questioning the validity of individual projects), but short of the bypass (through the Forest). That might have a few in opposition, not least King Henry VIII spinning in his grave at the thought) so nice idea but no chance.
2041 isn’t far away, the focus is now on ensuring that we can all get from a to b and every other point as well, and that Marlborough remains a viable and practically effective community
After the Lionesses in Europe, it’s now the turn of Marlborough Town Ladies in the FA Cup
