A350 bypass will be a ‘gross intrusion’ into local landscape

A PROPOSAL to move forward with plans for an A350 bypass to the east of Melksham, around Bowerhill, has been met with disappointment with local councillors saying it will be a ‘gross intrusion’ into the landscape.

Despite 18 proposed options for the route of the bypass – which were outlined in the public consultation that ran from November last year, until mid-January – Wiltshire Council has proposed to move forward with only one option, ‘10c’. See map page 18.

The route will connect the A350 north of Beanacre with the A350 Semington bypass, south of Bowerhill.

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet will meet next week to discuss the proposal to move forward with the 10c route option, which has already proved controversial with Bowerhill residents and local campaigners.

Concerns

During the recent consultation, residents raised concerns about the route’s proximity to the village, its impact on air quality, and its environmental impact on the green spaces in the area.

Melksham Without Parish Councillors have told Melksham News that they are ‘disappointed’ by the news, explaining that they would have preferred route option 10d – connecting the A350 north of Beanacre with the A350/A361 roundabout, which would have “significantly reduced” the impact on Bowerhill.

“This will be a gross intrusion into the landscape south of Bowerhill,” said the former chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr Richard Wood. “I think that they haven’t given complete consideration to the effect that is going to have on Bowerhill.

Succumbed to pressure

“The big issue is that it cuts between Bowerhill and the canal – and perilously close to Giles Wood. And quite rightly I think the people of Bowerhill are very unhappy about that.

“I think they have succumbed to pressure from other villages – especially Seend – who were up in arms about 10d. However, this will be music to the ears of half of our parishioners in Shaw, Whitley and Beanacre.”

Newly-elected chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr John Glover added, “If Wiltshire Council do proceed with this, we will try to ensure that we get as much environmental protection and noise abatement to the residents affected by this as we can.”

Newly-elected vice-chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr David Pafford said, “It was always clear that the options to the west of the town were not viable, or would not have made enough of a difference – so we were always looking at the options to the east.

Local people – and I live in Bowerhill – have been telling me, and it’s a wide-spread feeling, that [10c] was the option that Wiltshire Council started the whole process with.

“I don’t know for certain that is the case, but there does seem to be a certain inevitability about this.”

Bypass questioned

The parish councillors have also questioned if there is still a need for an A350 bypass.

“I think if you polled Melksham now there would be a slight majority for not doing anything at all,” said cllr Wood.

“What they have to establish first,” said cllr Pafford, “given current restrictions and social changes because of Covid, is whether there is still a need for a bypass, in terms of volume of traffic.”

Wiltshire Council’s cabinet will meet next week, Tuesday 1st June, to discuss the next steps for the proposed A350 bypass and the recommendations put to cabinet in a report. 

The report says, “Further public consultation should be undertaken on a short list of options comprising the long eastern route (Option 10c) and alternative alignments at the northern end which may be feasible.”

Cabinet member for Highways, cllr Dr Mark McClelland said, “Around 1,200 people and organisations took part in the first Melksham bypass engagement exercise. Officers have looked at these responses and used this feedback, along with other technical considerations such as finance, environmental concerns and traffic models, to prepare a shortlist of options.

“If cabinet agrees to the findings in the report, the project would move on to the next stage, an engagement exercise on the proposed shortlisted route options.

“An A350 Melksham bypass would tackle congestion for local residents and businesses as well as reduce journey times for non-local through traffic.”

If cabinet agrees to the next stage, the second consultation exercise would begin at Melksham Area Board on 23rd June at 7pm.

To read the full cabinet paper ahead of the meeting on Tuesday 1st June, people should go to: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=13768

And to find out more about the proposed A350 Melksham bypass project, visit the website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-a350-melksham-bypass