Public to have their say on proposal to reverse traffic flow in Union Street

A PROPOSAL that the direction of traffic in Union Street, Melksham, be reversed to improve traffic flow, will undergo public consultation.

Currently traffic flows one-way down Union Street from where it meets  with Bath Road/Bank Street to where it meets with Lowbourne. 

In June, the town council voted to propose to Wiltshire Council that an idea to reverse the direction of traffic in Union Street and the implementation of a ‘left turn only’ onto Bank Street be explored.

The idea, which  originated from a number of sources, including residents of Union Street and the highways officer for Wiltshire Council, sparked debate in the town, with some residents claiming that the changes would cause accidents and create more congestion in the town.

Speaking at last week’s Melksham Area Board in his role as Wiltshire Councillor, Jon Hubbard, who is also a town councillor and mayor said, “The CATG (Community area transport group) has agreed that officers will undertake a very basic study, giving options and suggested consequences of options that the town council can take away to do some consultation work with local residents.”

Information about when the consultation will be carried out is yet to be confirmed.