Wiltshire Council has announced the commencement of work to reopen Calne High Street to one-way vehicular traffic, flowing south from Wood Street to Curzon Street.
The project, which aims to enhance traffic flow and improve air quality in the town, is scheduled to begin on 13th January and is expected to last approximately four weeks.
This trial modification will be implemented under an Experimental Temporary Traffic Order (ETRO), allowing the changes to remain in effect for up to 18 months. This timeframe will enable the council to monitor the impact of the trial and gather community feedback before making a final decision on whether to make the adjustments permanent or revert to the current pedestrian-only configuration.
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 in the town, which is why we're trialling the opening of High Street to traffic, one way from north to south. This trial will last for up to 18 months, during which we’ll analyze the data, assess the impact on the local highway network, and consider the feedback from the community.”
As part of the trial, vehicles traveling south from Wood Street will be permitted to use the High Street and must turn left onto Curzon Street. Vehicles exiting High Street will only have the option to turn left. Traffic coming from Wood Street towards The Square will be required to turn right at the mini-roundabout on Curzon Street to access the A4.
In a bid to ensure pedestrian safety, the council will install temporary physical barriers on either side of the newly designated vehicle lane, which will feature tarmac down the centre of High Street. Additionally, disabled parking spaces currently situated on the High Street will be temporarily relocated to Wood Street, while tree planters will be moved to footways or other suitable locations throughout the town.
Once the ETRO is published, residents will have the opportunity to provide their comments and feedback during the Traffic Regulation Order consultations.
Cllr Holder encouraged community participation, stating: “I encourage residents to share their views to help us confirm next steps. This may mean refining or adapting the scheme.”
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