Wiltshire Council's Cabinet has announced they have made a decision to re-open Calne High Street to southbound vehicular traffic on a trial basis in the autumn.
The decision has been taken in a bid to address concerns about air quality and is identified as an action in the Councils Air Quality Action Plan.
Wiltshire Council say their intention is to undertake the reopening using the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order process which will allow them to have the opening in place for up to 18 months before a decision is made on whether to make the scheme permanent or revert to the closure.
Site investigation and survey work will begin soon, with current plans being to tarmac the centre of the High Street and install temporary barriers on each side for pedestrian safety.
The disabled parking currently on High Street will be suspended during the scheme with alternative provision provided in Wood Street.
The High Street was first pedestrianised in 1998 and there has long since been an argument that the traffic problems the town faces on a daily basis, could be greatly eased by the re-opening of the area.
Calne Town Councillor Robert MacNaughton told us: "We are surprised and shocked Calne Town Council weren't consulted on this, but I have written to Cllr Richard Clewer to ask why and find out more details about the proposal,"
Cllr Ian Thorn who is a member or Wiltshire Council and Calne Town Council said: "Well, the town has been given an opportunity to really test the idea that reopening the High Street will reduce traffic wait times and improve air quality. Let’s keep an open mind and see how it can be made to work."
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "We want to improve the air quality in Calne and also help to relieve some of the traffic issues on The Square, which is why we're trailing opening High Street to traffic, one way from north to south.
"This is an experiment that will be in place for up to 18 months, and during that time we will look at both data and the effect on the local highways network, along with the views of local people, before deciding whether to make the scheme permanent.
"We're expecting to start work on installing the changes before the end of the year, and once this process starts and the experimental temporary traffic order is live, I'd urge people to let us know their views, so we can see what works and what may need further changes.
"As set out in our Business Plan, we are committed to having well connected communities here in Wiltshire, and we hope that these changes will help to improve both the air quality and traffic flow in Calne."
Once the trial scheme is in place, traffic heading south down Wood Street will be able to then move down High Street and turn left on to Curzon Street - vehicles exiting High Street will be able to turn left only. Any vehicles heading west from Wood Street and on to The Square will then need to turn right on the mini roundabout along Curzon Street and then west along the A4.
Because of the experimental nature of the scheme, the council will look to tarmac the centre of High Street for vehicles and install temporary physical barriers on each side of the road to help keep pedestrians safe. The disabled parking currently on High Street will be suspended during the scheme. The tree planters currently on High Street will be moved to the side footway areas or other more suitable areas in the town.
The scheme is expected to cost around £100,000, with the funding coming from the council's general highways funding.
Later in 2025, the council will be upgrading the traffic lights on the A4 and Church Street, but the temporary scheme will have had several months to bed in before the work begins on the traffic lights, which should last up to two weeks.
Once the ETRO has been published, it will be available for people to comment on at Traffic Regulation Order consultations.
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