At Full Council on Tuesday 1 September, councillors voted unanimously for proposals to improve safety on Silver Street and called for action on traffic concerns across the town. The town council sees this as a first stage towards improved pedestrian safety and traffic movements in the town centre.
During the meeting, Wiltshire Council Highways officers presented proposals to improve the pedestrian space on Silver Street, with wider pavements, courtesy crossings and an improved pedestrian route from The Shambles to Kingston Road.
The proposals include restrictions on cars, motorcycles and goods vehicles travelling uphill on Silver Street during busier daytime hours, for example between 7am and 7pm. No restrictions would apply to downhill traffic or uphill movements outside the specified hours. Signage would be designed to ensure the restrictions are clearly understood by all road users.
Restricting most vehicle movements to one-way downhill during daytime hours would also improve pedestrian safety and comfort by reducing the number of vehicles passing close to footways and properties fronting the street.
Wiltshire Council officers summarised that the proposed road changes would reduce traffic on Silver Street and improve conditions for pedestrians, businesses and residents but stressed the need to retain current bus routes at all hours and a road layout that can accommodate two-way traffic at least during quieter hours.
The scheme will be subject to an official trial, known as an experimental traffic regulation order, which can be in place for up to 18 months to test the proposals, gather evidence and assess its benefits and drawbacks.
The town council also requested Wiltshire Council proceed with measures to improve safety at the top of Market Street and consider mitigations to allow for additional traffic on Mount Pleasant, Sladesbrook, New Road and Springfield during daytime hours and reiterated its support for a town-wide 20 mph limit.
The next steps are for Wiltshire Council engineers to design the full set of road and pedestrian improvements for Silver Street, confirm costs and secure a funding package.
The start of the trial is subject to an additional air quality study, which the town council has asked Wiltshire Council to complete as soon as possible.
If you weren’t able to attend the meeting, you can find the presentation given by Wiltshire Council – as well as frequently asked questions below.
Presentation & FAQs