A PLANNING application has been submitted by Wiltshire Council for a footpath, at the rear of Melksham Oak Community School, which has taken six years to happen. It is hoped that the path, which 
ere left to commute alongside the busy A365. Melksham Without Parish Council had expressed frustration that the path had not been built.
Wiltshire Council blamed the delays on Covid and a hike in costs up to £450,000, which the council admitted it didn’t have the funds for. Last summer, Wiltshire Council confirmed that a budget and timeline was in place to build the path.
Wiltshire councillors, Nick Holder and Mike Sankey, have lobbied for the project to move forward.
Cllr Nick Holder said the intention is for the footpath to be finished by next spring. He said, “I am really pleased to see this application finally submitted. This path, if approved, will deliver a shorter and safer walking route for pupils from the east of Melksham to school. This is an important and welcome piece of local infrastructure.
“I know this has been a long, drawn-out process, but we finally have some movement on this much-needed secondary access to the school. Thanks to Michael Sankey (Melksham East) for his support on this too.”
Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport, said, “We have now submitted a planning application for the Melksham Oak footpath. The application is for a surfaced and lit shared use path from the new development at East Melksham (Hunters Wood) connecting Melksham Oak school and joining the A365. The proposed route will go through Woolmore Farm.
“The application is now subject to the statutory planning process and members of the public will be able to pass comment once validated.”
