Work to redesign the rotunda in Westbury’s town centre is set to commence this April, following the selection of a contractor by the town council last year.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-July and is being funded through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, a charge collected from housing developers to support local infrastructure projects.
The redesign plans will make use of the existing footprint of the rotunda, creating a granite oval seating area with an additional timber-topped bench. Part of the current plant bed will be removed to create a paved section to improve pedestrian access, while the remaining space will be transformed into a rain garden with new plant life around the existing tree. Rain gardens help reduce flooding, water pollution, and can be attractive to wildlife.
The project comes in response to long-standing complaints that the current rotunda obstructs views of nearby green spaces, such as Soisy Gardens, and creates an enclosed space conducive to anti-social behaviour. Plans for the redesign have been discussed for several years.
The redesign forms part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate Westbury’s town centre, known as Vision for Westbury.
In a recent meeting of the town council’s Vision for Westbury sub-committee, councillors discussed the plans which will transform the town centre. It is hoped the project will improve footfall in nearby shops and the library.
Ben Griffiths, Westbury Town Council’s engagement and development officer, explained Wiltshire Council are currently processing the road closure application, but once complete it will be full steam ahead with the rotunda upgrade.
He told the meeting, “All being well, we have dates around mid-April to start [the rotunda project] if the road closure application is approved and dealt with how we expect. If the opportunity comes where it can be implemented earlier, we will take it. There’s now some movement and it puts us at a conclusion date of mid-July, which gives us something to aim for. It’s all positive.”
The road closure will be in place for the duration of the project, which is likely to be around three months.
In the recent town council meeting, Ben was also asked about Westbury’s popular Sunday brunch events, which typically take place in Soisy Gardens in front of the town’s library, and how traders might be impacted. Stalls will be moved closer to the library, the engagement officer explained, and still go ahead.
Ben added, “We had a discussion with the events team at the start of the year and they’re well aware the rotunda project will be going ahead. Our intention was that the rotunda would be completed by spring, before the brunches, but it quickly became apparent that was never going to be the case.”
Work on the rotunda will take place in the week, and the High Street will remain open, the meeting also heard. However, there will likely be limited vehicle access near the library end of the street while work is underway.
Pictured: The rotunda design
