WILTSHIRE Council has announced that the planned re-opening of the High Street in Calne has been re-scheduled until 2025.
In August they announced they had made the decision to re-open Calne High Street to southbound vehicular traffic on a trial basis in the autumn.
The decision had been taken in a bid to address concerns about air quality and is identified as an action in the Councils Air Quality Action Plan.
The intention was to undertake the reopening using the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order process which would have allowed them to have the opening in place for up to 18 months before a decision was made on whether to make the scheme permanent or revert to the closure.
However, following discussions with the town council, this trial scheme has been rescheduled for 2025. Some minor preliminary works will go ahead in November as planned, but reopening of the route is now expected to take place in February 2025, after the full project kicks off in January.
Cabinet member for highways, Cllr Nick Holder said: “After further discussion with Calne Town Council and to avoid disruption during the build up to the festive season, it has now been agreed to undertake works to reopen the High Street from mid-January with opening due mid-February,"
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.
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