“Bypass is not a done deal!” say campaigners – Stop the Melksham Bypass group urge residents to oppose plan

CAMPAIGN group, Stop the Melksham Bypass, is fighting the idea that the proposed A350 bypass is a ‘done deal; and can’t be stopped. 

Wiltshire Council’s recent decision to move forward with only one route option for the proposed A350 Melksham bypass, known as ‘10c’ – a route to the east of Melksham, around Bowerhill – sparked speculation that the route was “the only option that has ever been on the table” and was a “done deal”. 

However, the campaign group has stressed that the bypass is “not a done deal” and can be stopped – and they are encouraging those against the bypass to not give up hope and to have their say in Wiltshire Council’s consultation. 

The group says that Wiltshire Council has a “pro-bypass stance” and is promoting the benefits of the bypass to “influence” the community, which they say is “extremely biased and misleading”.  

And in contrast to Wiltshire Council’s “pro-bypass stance”, the group are arguing that the bypass should not go ahead. 

They are hightlighting several key reasons including: the destruction of countryside and wildlife habitats; the intrusive nature of a large scale road that would increase noise and air pollution; the loss of farmland; and a change in how people travel, post-pandemic, “which has lowered traffic use and the congestion problem along the A350”. 

Stop the Melksham Bypass also highlight that the bypass will “sever most of the many existing footpath routes” currently used by residents to access the countryside and the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

And they have argued that the proposed £125million budget for the bypass, would be better spent supporting initiatives to achieve ambitions to be carbon neutral, including taking vehicles off the road, enhancing public transport, and encouraging and making better walking and cycling opportunities. 

The group has also launched an online petition, which has so far received the support of over 260 people. 

“From our discussions with local residents of Melksham, we have found that they are generally of the opinion that the proposed A350 bypass (route 10c) to the east of Melksham is a ‘done deal’ and that the route selected will be going ahead,” say the group. 

“This is not the case, albeit the route is favoured by Wiltshire Council and they have put a huge amount of resources (time and money) into promoting this particular option – hence many people believe the 10c has been selected and that it will proceed regardless.  

“However, we want it to be absolutely clear that this part of the process is a non-statutory consultation and that a planning application has not even been made yet, it is not a done deal!  

“The Wiltshire Council presentation suggests that there are many benefits of having the bypass. These are not certain in any way, and they are all very nebulous.  

“Our view is that it would be tragic to lose a huge tranche of beautiful countryside full stop, and to use uncertain benefit gains to influence the public to yet another major road is irresponsible, especially as this goes against the growing need and government targets to use roads less and protect the climate and the environment.” 

The group are encouraging the community to make sure they have their say in Wiltshire Council’s non-statutory engagement and consultation exercise about the A350 bypass project, which ends this Sunday, 8th August.   

“When you complete the survey, it is critically important to provide an explanation to support your view, to say why you don’t want the bypass,” say the group. “Don’t just say no – they won’t listen if you do this.” 

To find and take part in the bypass consultation, visit the website: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/3146/A350-Melksham-bypass 

To view and support the group’s petition, visit the website: www.change.org/p/residents-of-bowerhill-and-surrounding-areas-anyone-with-interest-and-investment-in-the-area-stop-the-melksham-bypass 

You can follow the Stop the Melksham Bypass campaign on Facebook – search using ‘Stop the Melksham Bypass’.