WILTSHIRE Council has defended its plans to increase the speed limit on Sandridge Hill following a strong objection from Melksham Without Parish Council. The county council says the speed limit increase is in line with current government guidelines.
The speed limit is currently 30 mph but this is due to increase to 40mph when Forest & Sandridge School moves from its current site.
A letter from Melksham Without Parish Council to Peter Binley, head of highways asset management for Wiltshire Council highlighted the concerns expressed by the council.
The letter said, “Melksham Without Parish Council wishes to strongly object to this proposal.
“Recently there was an accident at the Bromham turning and as you may know from the school site history, a young driver was killed there a few years ago. A cyclist was also knocked off his pushbike and killed on Sandridge Hill, partly due to traffic trying to overtake and not seeing the blind spot.
“It seems that the stretch outside the present school is particularly tempting for motorists to speed.
“There are also plans to put 15 houses on the school site, all of which will use the same school access on to A3102. If traffic is allowed to go faster, cars emerging from the school exit will be put at risk and also find it difficult to turn in and emerge into fast traffic. Please would you therefore continue to leave this stretch of the Hill at a 30mph.”
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council responded saying, “We follow government guidance regarding speed limits, and the limit along this section has been assessed as meeting the criteria for a 40mph restriction once the school has moved. The guidance is in place to keep limits consistent and appropriate to each area, and is designed to help local councils improve safety on their roads.”