A decision by Wiltshire Council to press ahead with the signalisation of the Stanier Road junction on Calne’s A3102 bypass has sparked frustration from residents and councillors, who say the project answers a problem that doesn’t exist.
Former Mayor of Calne, Jon Fisher, said he was notified of the decision last week after responding to Wiltshire Council’s public consultation on the scheme. The council has approved plans to install new traffic lights and prohibit U-turns at the junction - part of what officials describe as a wider A3102 safety project identified by the Department for Transport (DfT).
But the £1 million project has been branded “a monumental waste of public money” by Mr Fisher. “Although Wiltshire Council aren’t footing the £1m bill themselves, this is a monumental waste of public money which could be spent on better things,” he said. “There are far more dangerous sections of road in Calne, such as the White Hart roundabout or even the Tesco entrance, that this money could go towards fixing.”
Calne North councillor Mike Sankey also objected to the scheme during consultation, describing it as unnecessary and poorly targeted. “This scheme seeks to resolve a problem that doesn’t exist,” he said. “I’ve never seen anyone do a U-turn here in 12 years of living in Calne. The money could be better spent improving safety elsewhere on the A3102 - or not spent at all. Wherever it comes from, it’s taxpayers’ money and should be spent wisely.”
Wiltshire Council’s formal decision, published on 15th October 2025 under reference HSSF-27-25, confirmed that the proposals will be implemented as advertised, with objectors “advised accordingly”. The order - The County of Wiltshire (A3102 Calne Bypass and Stanier Road, Calne) (Prohibition of U-Turn) Order 2025 - will come into force this autumn, subject to call-in.
According to the report, the scheme aims to “enhance road safety for all users by reducing the fatal and severe injury rate over a 20-year duration”, focusing on mitigating the severity of collisions rather than reducing their number.
However, the public consultation which ran from 25th June to 16th July, received eight responses, six of which opposed the move, one supported it and one was a duplication. Many respondents said they had never witnessed a U-turn at the junction, questioned the value for money, and called for investment instead at more hazardous points such as the Tesco junction and Woodsage Way.
One resident wrote: “I’ve lived in Calne for eight years and I’ve never seen anyone do a U-turn on this road. It doesn’t seem necessary and would be using up money that could be better spent elsewhere.”
Another added: “This will inevitably cause increased air pollution and traffic delays on a bit of road which is currently free-flowing. The Tesco junction is far more dangerous and sees regular accidents.”
Wiltshire Council officers acknowledged that “very few U-turns currently take place” but said the restriction was needed as part of the new signalised junction design, which will include pedestrian crossings.
“When eastbound A3102 traffic has a green light, pedestrians could be crossing from the southern footway to the central island,” the council said. “If U-turns were permitted, these pedestrians would be at risk.”
The project forms part of a DfT-backed safety initiative based on an International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) model highlighting areas of risk along the A3102.
Despite the reasoning, local representatives remain unconvinced. Mr Fisher summed up the mood of many: “I’m not sure what the point of public consultation is if this is the result.”
Related article: U-turns could be banned on Calne bypass in new traffic regulation
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