CYCLISTS and walkers have voiced their frustration as a blocked footpath has led to them having to navigate a muddy field.
Residents have contacted the Melksham News explaining their frustration because their usual route across Jubilee Playing Field in Bowerhill has been blocked by fencing erected as part of the building work on the new Herman Miller site.
The footpath which connected Lancaster Road and Portal Road is now blocked, forcing cyclists and walkers heading on their usual route to divert across the increasingly muddy Jubilee Field – with the marked-out football pitch also suffering as it has become a walkway.
Richard Cowell a local resident who used the footpath regularly is now having to make his way across the field to get to work. He feels a temporary hard footpath should have been installed. Richard said, “I have written a letter to Winvic, the developers of the site, but had no response. Commuters and residents – walkers and cyclists – are being forced to make their way across a water-logged pitch because the developer has closed off the road with no satisfactory alternative provided. It’s now damaging the pitch for which the parish council get an income by renting out.
“A perfectly good existing path has simply been blocked off with little regard as to the effect that this might have on existing users. When I asked one of the fence erectors about alternative provision he just told me we would still be able to get across the field. I pointed out at that time that it would rapidly turn into a quagmire, and that prediction has unfortunately come true.
“My view is that the developer should pay, or make other arrangements – they are the ones who have closed off the path. They are happy enough I’m sure to make a good profit constructing the new factory for Herman Miller, and pay lip service to being ‘considerate constructors’, but have ignored my email and a similar one from another local commuter who has also contacted them.
“I’m just one of many users of this route who are all being inconvenienced by the poor alternative arrangements – I saw a lady making her way across the field today with a baby buggy. I believe Wiltshire Council should have thought of this before granting planning permission and insisted on preservation of the route, but we are where we are.”
In response to some of the concerns from residents Melksham Without Parish Council held a site meeting with the developer. It was decided that a temporary footpath would not be constructed as this would cost approximately £13,000 for the duration of the building work.
The decision was then made to encourage cyclists not to cross the football pitches and increase awareness of the timescale involved and ask for patience. Signs have now been erected asking for cyclists not to ride on the football pitches and that the new road – and pavement – will be open in June.
