DESPITE Wiltshire Council answering questions regarding the planned changes to the Farmers Roundabout, readers are still voicing their frustration, saying the scheme won’t work and it will end up being a waste of money.
As Wiltshire Council clarifies to residents that the right-turn junction into Asda will remain; the traffic signals at Mcdonald’s will not be linked to the proposed new lights; and the council has no plans to scrap this scheme and build a Beanacre bypass instead, residents have yet again taken to social media to express their frustration.
Local resident Steve said, “Make no mistake, this West Midland Farmers roundabout scheme will bring massive jams to the town and will make the completion of the link from Sandridge Road to Beanacre more attractive, using Snowberry Lane as a greater rat run out onto Western Way.”
Gavin Bailey said, “Complete waste of money. Traffic no way near busy enough to justify these plans. Temporary lights used on main roundabouts on Great Western Way in Swindon work because of the volume of traffic. Melksham is no way near as busy, even at peak times.”
Jon Finch, who commented on our website, expressed how, if the work is to go ahead, the council should make sure that what they are doing is right the first time.
“If the Wiltshire motorists have to put up with 8 to 9 months of holdups, then please get it right first time, but also do it to as high a standard as is possible to solve all the issues.” said Jon.
“The A350 is a major road through our county. It is the front door to Melksham and for a change it would be great if a major development affecting the people of Melksham went ahead without being watered down and delayed.”
Other residents are adamant that the proposed works will make the issue worse, rather than fix the traffic problem.
Maggie Hicks commented, “No-one wants this change of roundabout because it won’t achieve anything, apart from wasting more money and causing complete gridlock for nothing,” while Matt Edwards commented, “Very good text book theories that don’t work in reality. Town planners have no clue.
Martina Fisher asked, “What difference what we think – they will still go a head with it like they did with the Market Place – waste of time asking us,” while John Marable said, “Get the planners to drive a Articulated Lorry; then they might understand that it’s better to keep it moving than stopping it at traffic lights – Take them out all traffic will flow.”
To read Wiltshire Council’s response to questions put to them by Melksham News read issue 711 or visit Wiltshire Council’s roundabout FAQ’s page at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-improvements-a350-melksham.
