Mayor ‘extremely disappointed’ as Westbury is ignored
WESTBURY won’t be getting a bypass any time soon – but Melksham could be on course for its second bypass.
Wiltshire Council has announced a potential second bypass in Melksham as part of plans to improve the A350 through the county.
But there’s no sign of any plans for a bypass in Westbury – despite the town being identified as an area of concern for pollution levels.
Earlier this year, Wiltshire Council admitted that air quality in Westbury is of concern, declaring it an Air Quality Management Area (AQMAs). As a result, they drafted a strategy to combat air pollution by 2024.
Melksham was not named as an area of concern yet funding for a new bypass there has been sought by Wiltshire Council as part of the ‘Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body’ to take vehicles around Melksham, removing the congestion through Beanacre.
If funding is successful, Melksham could have a new bypass by as early as March 2026.
Mayor of Westbury, cllr Mike Sutton said, “We are extremely disappointed, despite all our problems with air pollution and traffic, Wiltshire Council continue to ignore the problem and have no concern for the residents of Westbury.
“At the same time Melksham, a town that is similar in size to Westbury could potentially receive their second bypass. It shows a complete lack of understanding of the problem we have here. This is on top of the air quality plan that they have come up with for Westbury which is nothing but aspiration and empty words.
“The town council has consistently and frequently made representations to Wiltshire Council concerning the amount of traffic passing through the town and the danger and inconvenience that poses to the health and wellbeing of the population and have offered some interim suggestions, none of which have been taken forward by the relevant bodies that control the main highways which can be the unitary authority, highways agency or both.”
A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said, “At the end of July we submitted a strategic outline business case for a proposed A350 Melksham Bypass to the Department for Transport via the Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body (STB).
“Information on the STB’s submission including its regional evidence base is available at: www.gloucestershire. gov.uk/council-and-democracy /joint-ventures/western-gate way-sub-national-transport-body/.”
