Work begins on long-awaited Melksham pathway

Construction has begun on a long-awaited pathway linking Burnet Close to Western Way, more than six years after funding for the project was secured.

Wiltshire Council received £124,000 from housebuilder Taylor Wimpey in April 2020 to support the delivery of a shared-use path linking Burnet Close to the Speedwell Close area and the Toucan crossing on the A365 Western Way.

Concerns were raised about the delay in building the pathway, with residents and students from Melksham Oak Community School previously reporting that the existing route often flooded in wet weather and became a ‘muddy quagmire’.

Melksham Without Parish Council has been pushing for the pathway to be completed, with Wiltshire councillor Jon Hubbard also campaigning on the issue.

Cllr John Glover, chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, said, “We’re delighted to see work finally starting on this long-awaited pathway. The Parish Council has been pushing for its delivery for many years. While it’s frustrating that it has taken so long after the development was built and the funding secured, residents will finally have a safer, all-weather route linking Pathfinder Way with Melksham town centre via the A365 crossing.”

Work is expected to be completed by 11th October.