PLANS for a A350 Melksham bypass are still moving forward despite a delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Wiltshire Council, work has begun on a outline business case to enable the scheme to progress to the next stage of development.
And news on the forthcoming consultation will be announced soon.
Cllr Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways, told Melksham News, “We’re currently working on preparing the outline business case for the Melksham bypass, though the project has been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are carrying out surveys in the wider area and gathering information to help develop scheme options. We expect to be in a position to announce news on the forthcoming consultation soon.”
In February it was announced that the government had agreed to help fund up to £135million towards the bypass, as part of a government initiative to improve local transport networks across the country.
Following the announcement, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Council told Melksham News that the scheme will consider two options for the route of the bypass to the east of the town – a shorter route ‘Option A’, costing an estimated £51.2million, that would connect the A350 north of Beanacre with Eastern Way (where it meets with Sandridge Common); and a second longer route ‘Option C’, costing an estimated £135.8million, that would connect the A350 north of Beanacre with the A350 Semington bypass, south of Bowerhill.
News of the scheme received a mixed reaction from residents. Some residents welcomed the news and its potential relief of traffic congestion; whilst others raised concern about the bypass’ impact on green spaces and local wildlife, and expressed fears that the bypass will open up the town for more housing developments and put even more pressure on local resources, already at breaking point.