Melksham Market Place proposal plans unveiled

Exciting new plans have been unveiled detailing how the Market Place will look if redevelopment plans get the green light.

The proposed improvements of the town’s historical Market Place have been revealed at an exhibition running at the town hall until Sunday 1st February.  The exhibition also gives local people the chance to submit their views on the proposal, which will tie in with the town’s planned new campus at Melksham House.

The key elements of the Market Place plans are:

• A multi-functional shared space within the Market Place which will be used for the weekly market and can be used for community events, such as a Christmas market, as well as meeting the everyday needs of the town.

• Creation of a road crossing the Market Place to enable access to the Campus development.

• Clearly marked pedestrian crossings with raised surfaces and ramps to reduce traffic speeds.

• Creation of new footways to improve accessibility for pedestrians and those with mobility impairments.

• Retention of the London Plane tree between the Market Place and the Market Tavern.

• The roundabout will remain the same size but will be moved slightly to accommodate the access road into Melksham Campus.

• The proposed taxi rank capacity will match the existing taxi rank capacity.

• Disabled parking to be increased to three spaces

Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for campuses said, “The arrival of the new campus will be an exciting prospect for the town. I would encourage residents to get along to the exhibition to ensure they take the opportunity to have their say on the improvements planned for the area as part of the wider campus project.”

The proposed improvements to the Market Place have been designed to provide through-movement for traffic to the campus; create a high quality public space in the centre of the town where people can congregate for social, leisure and community activities; improve the pedestrian environment and enhance and preserve the historic character and appearance of the town.

Central – Melksham Campus Access Road

• A new link onto Spa Road Roundabout to provide access to Melksham Campus • Informal pedestrian crossings in contrasting paving materials in natural stone • Raised section of road to slow traffic speeds at pedestrian crossings • Heritage style street furniture • Road construction using modern asphalt materials for longevity and low maintenance

North – Market Area

• A pedestrian only area • Weekly Markets (Tuesdays) • Available for other events • Potential for outside dining area • Utilises natural stone paving materials and heritage style street furniture to enhance historic character in front of the town hall • Footway areas using paving materials to match Church Street

South – Taxi, Loading and Disabled Parking

• Proposed taxi rank capacity to match existing • Additional amenity area for various uses including pedestrians waiting for taxis • Disabled parking increased to three spaces • Restricted loading area to share taxi rank on west side  • Road construction using modern asphalt materials for longevity and low maintenance • Heritage style street furniture • Footway areas using paving materials to materials to match Church Street

 • What do you think? Email news@melkshamnews.co.uk