THE Station Road and Spinnaker Estate area of Westbury is set to be completely reviewed following safety concerns raised by Westbury town councillors and residents living in the area.
Some of the issues raised included poor visibility for those exiting the Spinnaker Estate, which is made worse by vehicles speeding from under the railway bridge.
This issue was discussed at the recent meeting of the highways planning and development committee of Westbury Town Council. Cllr Mike Sutton said, “The whole of Station Road, from where it meets The Ham, and down to Haynes Road, in our view, needs reviewing.
“Rather than focussing on individual incidents such as the zebra crossing up by Eden Vale, poor visibility opposite the Railway Inn from cars going under the railway bridge and the number of vehicles coming out of the estates (both present and to be built), we would rather the whole road is taken under comprehensive review, where this council will have its input.
“We have said this plan is a priority three, and that the matter is of significant seriousness to be considered a town council priority worthy of a contribution, so obviously we will make that decision once costs have been decided.”
The town council will take their concerns to the community area transport group of Wiltshire Council who will undertake a review of the area.
At the public forum part of the committee meeting, one member of the public said, “My daughter lives on the Spinnaker estate, and ever since she’s lived there, she has faced issues actually trying to leave the estate following poor visibility to the right, from cars coming out under the bridge, usually at high speeds.
“In my experience, you have to move out on to the roundabout before you can even see what’s coming, which is in no way safe. It can be really frightening; you just have to take your chance really and go for it.
“There is shrubbery and advertising boards which are impacting visibility and the actual road marking, that indicates for cars to stop at the roundabout, is just too far back and that’s why you have to edge yourself onto the roundabout to see what’s coming. I hate going down there to visit my daughter!”
Cllr Sutton added, “When Spinnaker Estate was being built, we made all these points to Wiltshire Council about visibility and speeding under the bridge and, as is often the norm, we were not listened to.”
Westbury town councillor, Mike Naxton, who also lives on the Spinnaker estate said, “What you’ve said is almost word for word what I raised in July last year, and it was worse then. I’ve actually been in contact with the site manager, and they’ve moved one of the signs out of the way, but the foliage is still in the sight line and it’s getting worse as it continues to grow.”
