A SCHEME to install Real Time Information (RTI) screens at bus stops in the town and parish is moving forward.
Melksham Without Parish Council (MWPC) says a trial of the screens may soon be launched in Mitchell Drive, Bowerhill, and the Market Place.
Site visits were held in late January with Wiltshire Council highway and passenger transport officers, MWPC cllrs John Glover and Alan Baines, Hugh Davies of Melksham Town Council, and an RTI manufacturer representative.
Chair of Melksham Without Parish Council, cllr John Glover said, “MWPC have been pressing Wiltshire Council for years to implement RTI across the area but kept hitting a brick wall until now. We are now finally working with the Passenger Transport Unit at Wiltshire Council and they are happy to part-fund the first pilot.
“MWPC is happy to jointly fund the Market Place RTI because it also helps our parish residents when shopping or passing through Melksham town centre. Separately, we have earmarked funds in 2024/25 for RTI in the MWPC area. We are hopeful to have some in place on the 271/272/273 route as a priority with X34 later.
“As new shelters are provided under Section 106 agreements with new housing developments, we press for RTI to be provided at the build stage. The parish council hopes that Melksham Town Council is still planning to implement RTI too, to give up a joined-up approach.
“The new devices can now be battery operated, which makes a big difference to where the information can be provided, as until now, we were restricted to bus shelters with an electricity supply and the right height to support the sign.”
