Town torn between new A350 bypass

With a town torn between the ‘real reasons’ behind a new A350 bypass, is it actually the concerns of residents being bypassed?

Wiltshire Council are developing a scheme to improve the A350 at Melksham and Beanacre. The route connects the south coast with the M4, onwards to Bristol and Midlands, eventually passing around Chippenham and Trowbridge through Melksham and Beanacre.

The selected route, also known as “10C”, will run from A350 north of Beanacre to A3102 east of Eastern way, connecting to the A365, before reconnecting back to the A350 south of Hampton Park West.

Credit: A350 Melksham Bypass Route 10C, Wiltshire Council, https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/media/8416/Melksham-Area-Board-Presentation-December-2021/pdf/Melksham_Area_Board_Dec_2021_Slides_final.pdf?m=637799174025870000

Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet member for transport, claims: “Residents of Melksham will benefit from reduced traffic flows through the town, improving air quality and reducing the number of collisions.”

However, residents have expressed a range of concerns about the construction of the bypass.

Phil Chipper, administrator member of ‘Stop the Melksham bypass’ group, claims: “Wiltshire Council aren’t interested in public adverse opinion, as this project is only about the pursuit of their objectives. They only seek to manage public opinion.”

In addition to this, Wiltshire Climate Alliance have highlighted that more people oppose the scheme than support it. In an online consultation, 52% of people claimed they did not feel a need for the proposed bypass and 67% said the emerging route was not suitable. They have further urged the council to rethink the Melksham bypass plans and alternatively be more ambitious with improving public transport.

Alain Baines, Bowerhill Ward for Melksham without Parish council, argues: “The need for a bypass is even greater than it ever was. Doing nothing is therefore not an option and even if electric and cleaner vehicles become dominant, the volume of traffic will remain a big problem.”

Consultations that took place between November 2020- January 2021 and June- August 2021, emphasised concerns including the protection of countryside habitats and environment, noise and air quality, access to the countryside and alternative route suggestions.

Dr Mark McClelland adds: “We will be closely taking into account environmental concerns throughout each stage of the project, including climate change considerations as well as the more immediate impact of the scheme on nearby wildlife and watercourse. The Department for Transport requires us to include effective mitigation of any environmental damage as an intrinsic part of the scheme.”

Wiltshire county council have confirmed a full environmental assessment will be undertaken, including the consideration of rainfall and flooding. They have also mentioned the possibility of using energy efficient plant, materials, and processes to reduce the carbon footprint of construction. Landscaping and planting will be included in the scheme, assisting the visual impact, and the creation of opportunities for ponds and wildlife habitats.

Baines informs, “those attending [consultations] at Beanacre were generally supportive of the concept of a bypass. The Bowerhill meeting was dominated by those opposing any suggestion of a bypass at all, and particularly any route near to Bowerhill”.

Councillor Terry Chivers, Parish Councillor for Beanacre, reiterates the views of those in Beanacre: “Can I suggest that those opposed to this new road spend a weekend in the village with large traffic thundering by 24 hours a day, with the noise and pollution that goes with it. Not only should this road be built, but it should also be upgraded right down to the south coast.”

Highlighting the disparaging views between residents, dependent on their location in the town.

There is the possibility that the reduction of traffic from residential areas could reduce traffic noise and air pollution. However, it has been highlighted that this could also lead to an increase of traffic in previously unaffected areas.

In an effort to stop the new proposal, opposition group ‘Stop the Melksham Bypass’ have created a petition, reaching a total of 731 signatures.

Chipper claims, “there is no logically economic case, but Wiltshire Council aren’t bothered, because that’s not their real interest. They needed to create the mirage of a strategic case to have an opportunity of receiving central Government politically motivated funding. The DfT have already told Wiltshire Council that the Melksham bypass doesn’t provide a Value for Money case as a local project, as well as rebuffing their request for over £9m to cover upfront project costs.

“The plan requires that the A350 Corridor have its road infrastructure upgraded and for significant housing development along it’s entire route. This is the real reason why there is a Melksham bypass proposal.”

Chipper further urges residents to “simply look around and ask yourself the hard questions, like why is the road needed? What are the real benefits to the community?”

The second engagement exercise has ended, nevertheless further consultations will take place to help progress the project at Planning Application stage. This will rely on the feedback provided from the DfT and the National Highway’s north-south connectivity study. The results are expected to be published Summer 2022, however there is little doubt this development will continue to drive opinion for many months to come.