Westbury residents raise concerns over “neglected” Fore Street

WESTBURY residents are unimpressed by the measures being taken to tackle speeding in the town centre.

It is no secret that traffic through Westbury’s town centre is a cause of concern for its residents, and in the continued absence of a bypass, the condition and use of the road is still a hot topic.

Maurice Bizeray, of Fore Street said, “I have been informed that the Highways Agency placed a box and set of wires across the road by Tesco Express, to check the speed of traffic along the road. They have since stated that there is a below average speed in the area, which is absolute rubbish.

“I stood beside Tesco’s and watched as vehicles slowed for the cables, so the readings are totally false. I suggest they visit the area and speak to the locals to see how bad the road really is.”

The Highways Agency deny any involvement because they have no jurisdiction over the road,  and advise that it is instead maintained by Wiltshire County Council.

Westbury town councillor Russell Hawker could  not comment on any specific checks but said, “Speed checks are undertaken from time to time to get a clear idea of any speeding problems from proper data, rather than anecdotes and perceptions.

“If speeding is shown to be significant, it would be likely that the police would undertake checks with speed guns, speed indicator signs might be put up,  or a local community speed watch may monitor the roads.

“Westbury Area Board, through the Community Area Transport Group, has asked for a number of speed checks on various roads around Westbury.  This is simply a continuing exercise as we look at speeding problems on an increasing range of local roads.”

A number of residents have also complained that the combination of poor road surfaces and speeding is damaging their houses.

Patrick Corley of West End said, “To not be given a bypass was bad enough, but to then allow the roads to fall into such a poor state just adds insult to injury. The railway bridge was closed to lorries because it was said to be unsafe, but the authorities don’t seem to care about people’s houses being shaken to pieces by lorries rattling along the road and bouncing through the potholes.

“I had a two-foot square piece of pebble-dash fall off the front of my house recently. Luckily nobody was injured, but what if it had fallen on somebody’s head? Who would be responsible?”