Yarnbrook relief road will ease local congestion

PLANS have been submitted for a new Yarnbrook/ West Ashton relief road, as part of a major development between Westbury and Trowbridge.

The development will consist of 2,600 homes, employment facilities, two local centres, two primary schools, one secondary school, an ecological visitor facility and public open space.

The plans for the relief road have been welcomed by local campaigners.

Cllr Horace Prickett, Wiltshire Council’s portfolio holder for transport said, “This marks the beginning of much improved traffic conditions for both of the two villages. No longer will the A363 and A361 traffic have to use Yarnbrook crossroads, reducing by more than half the current congestion.  It marks a 20-year campaign to deal with such conditions and mirrors plans I first presented to the council in 1996!  It’s a shame it has taken 22 years to get there!”

The relief road will see 2.5km of new carriageway, including a link to the Yarnbrook roundabout. There will be three new roundabouts built and the existing A350 road will be  landscaped.

One of the new roundabouts will connect with the existing A363 Westbury Road, east of the railway bridge.  Another new roundabout will provide a link to the south, to the existing A350 between Yarnbrook and West Ashton. A third will intersect the existing West Ashton Road.

Wiltshire Council said, “Improving journey times along the A350 is a strategic priority as it will support economic growth.

“We have successfully bid for more than £8.5million from the Government to support the construction of the Yarnbrook West Ashton Relief Road which will help deliver 2,600 new homes in the area.

“Subject to planning permission, construction on the relief road is expected to start in 2019/20. There will be more details on this scheme in due course.”

More information of the plans can be found by visiting the Wiltshire Council planning website using the reference 15/04736/OUT