Have your say on local highway issues

WESTBURY residents are being encouraged to attend a meeting of the Westbury Area Board where you can relay your concerns about local highways issues, as well as using it as an opportunity to keep the pressure on Wiltshire Council about the need for a Westbury bypass. 

The Westbury Area Board meeting, at The Laverton on Thursday 30th November, has a theme of ‘highways matters’, and it is your opportunity to talk directly to the people involved at Wiltshire Council who deal with highways issues such as road safety, air quality, speeding and congestion. 

Doors open at 6.30pm with an opportunity for networking, with the meeting starting at 7pm. 

The event will feature a brief presentation on highways issues to provide some context on the work and strategic direction of the council in this important area, but the majority of the time will be dedicated to answering questions from people sent in by email in advance and/or in attendance. 

Westbury Town Council says it has received an increase in communications from members of the public who are complaining about highways issues and as highways is not the responsibility of the town council, this would give you the opportunity to speak to the right people.  

The town council says, “Westbury residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions and help us demonstrate to Wiltshire Council how strongly we feel about a bypass for our town.” 

Cllr Ashley O’Neill, cabinet member for area boards at Wiltshire Council, said, “Following a couple of interactive and successful events in Calne and Marlborough, we’re holding these panel-style discussions via our 18 area boards across the county to encourage residents to come and find out more information about highway and transport matters that are affecting them in their local areas. 

“They will be able to hear first-hand from officers and councillors about how our highway assets are managed and to gain an understanding of the way highway services are delivered, while also having an opportunity to ask questions. I would encourage all residents and local organisations to engage with the local area board to help bring about positive change in their communities.” 

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for highways, said, “People are rightly passionate about all things highways so these events will provide a good opportunity to find out more about our work as a council in your local area and for us to answer any questions. 

“I’m planning to attend the majority of events and am looking forward to the chance to have some productive face to face conversations as well as the opportunity to talk in detail about a topic that affects all our daily lives. I am delighted we will also be joined by representatives of the office of the police and crime commissioner to talk about the work we are doing in partnership to improve our road safety across our network. We look forward to seeing people there. ”      

Questions for the events can be sent to areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk. People should state the name of their local event the question relates to in the subject title of the email.