Traffic Study Report now out – but what does it propose?

Basically – do nothing. Or that is the broad conclusion gleaned from a long, detailed, analytical and considered (not to mention costly) study carried out for the Town (and County) by AtkinsRealis. Marlborough is heading towards gridlock within the next couple of decades and all the options available seem to be equivalent to shifting the chairs on the Titanic, or tinkering around the edges. But at least – courtesy of professional experts – we know. Now.

There are tweaks and small but relatively minor changes that can be made that will have positive benefit. At last night’s (Monday 21 October) meeting of the Town Council Planning Committee there were many residents concerned about possible changes resulting from recommendations in the Survey. Parking was right at the top of the ‘concern’ list. And parking on the Pewsey Road, just down from the College / St Peter’s roundabout as the houses there rely on the small number of spaces outside their gates as there isn’t anywhere else where elderly / infirm residents can be dropped off, or goods taken into houses without a long carry, or cars just parked for the night. One resident made the notable point that by removing those spaces, speeds along that stretch of Pewsey Road would increase, with the likely advent of more accidents.

The complete report can be viewed – or downloaded – by clicking the graphic of the cover above. Read it, agree (or otherwise) and comment (via the letters pages or by e-mailing local Councillors – Town and Wiltshire Council).

Traffic problems, gridlock caused by sudden roadworks, or just sheer volumes of cars, vans and HGVs are becoming ever more common. Such occurrences are not news anymore. It’s what we have to live with, on a daily basis and endure. It’s part of life in Marlborough. But does it need to be?

There is one option, maybe too radical but one that would resolve the impending nightmare scenario. The problems stem from the North-South traffic, Marlborough being a point on the favourite route from South Coast to Midlands and the North and Scotland. It will become worse when the ‘Air Balloon’ road improvement roadworks are completed and the route from J15 of the M4 all the way through to the Midland, North (East and West) and Scotland is Dual Carriageway / Motorway. And that section is nearly complete so things can only get more acute.

The ‘radical’ solution is a North / South bypass for Marlborough. A little while ago – 1 April – we ran a ‘spoof’ exclusive about the new bypass. Many a true word spoken in jest. Whilst we are not suggesting that this route is the one to follow, desecrating Savernake Forest might not be a ‘good idea’, the idea, or concept of moving N-S traffic out of the town centre is a very attractive option and it would solve the likely 2041 scenario of total gridlock.

Read the report, consider the options and recognise that without some radical change an attempted trip to Tesco from the North or West of Marlborough may become more difficult than setting out on an Antarctic Expedition. Let’s discuss……..