Agenda item

The Area Board will be asked to consider the recommendations from the 5 October 2022 Warminster Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting outlined in the report.

Update from Maiden Bradley Weight Watchers (Including Chapmanslade and Corsley)

To receive a statement from Alex Channer on behalf of Maiden Bradley Weight Watchers regarding an on-going freight issue.

Cllr Bill Parks introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 5 October 2022. In addition, as chair of the Warminster LHFIG, Cllr Parks updated that he had been provided with a draft practice note, which would be circulated to parishes, with Wiltshire Council inviting comments.

Resolved

The minutes of theLocal Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 5 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record as well as the recommendations within.

Update from Maiden Bradley Weight Watchers (Including Chapmanslade and Corsley)

The Area Board received a presentation from Alex Channer on behalf of the Three Villages HGV Campaign regarding an on-going freight issue that they have been experiencing. The presentation included the following points:

·       It was outlined that representatives from Chapmanslade, Corsley and Maiden Bradley were in attendance as a combined alliance due to being unfairly burdened with HGV traffic, though not one of the villages is located on strategic freight routes.

·       Reference was drawn to a report by Mouchel Parkman (2006), which suggested weight limits be adopted to protect the involved communities (2011 TRO). The report also proposed lifting the weight limit on the B3089 slip road connecting the A350 to the A303, to enable HGVs to turn west safely onto the A303. However, Wiltshire Council decided to indefinitely defer implementation of the 2011 TRO.

·       Examples of the current situation experienced by the villages were provided along with photographic representations.

The Group outlined the following proposal to the Area Board to ask for support and to formally raise awareness of the issues:

1. Adopt a Temporary TRO to pilot the enforcement of all three weight limits for 18 months.

Chapmanslade: Implement 7.5t weight limit on the A3098. Update signage at junctions with the A3098 - on the A36 and A361 – as well as junctions with relevant secondary roads.

Corsley: Implement 18t weight limit on the A362. Update signage at junctions entering the A362 - on the A36 and A361, and the Longleat (picket post) roundabout – as well as junctions with relevant secondary roads.

Maiden Bradley: Implement 7.5t weight limit on the B3092. Update signage at junctions entering the B3092 – on the A361, A303, A350 – as well as junctions with relevant secondary roads. Remove the 7.5t weight limit on the A350/B3089 slip road at Willoughby Hedge and update signage.

2. Use this period to collect real-time data on the impacts of the weight limits and to consult stakeholders.
3. De-couple our local solution from national, strategic projects over which Wiltshire Council has no control.

Following the presentation there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       It was stated that there was an awareness from Members that this had been a problem for several years.

·       Reference was drawn to how pollution levels in Corsley are now 3 times the EU limit for CO2 and NO2. Additionally, there is no wind meaning that pollution hangs in the valley.

·       It was stated that in relation to Chapmanslade, Somerset Council has protected itself by imposing weight limits, however this has caused a problem of leakage in Chapmanslade with drivers attempting to take short cuts through residential areas.

·       Regarding Maiden Bradley, it was stated that a planning application has been submitted to extend Foster Yeoman Limited Quarry and that lorries are using the Frome By-pass as a short cut to not use the right turn junction at the A350.

·       Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council stated that though he could not speak from a Highways perspective, the solution seemed to make sense and that though he could make no promises he would follow up emails of previous contact. In addition, it was stressed that the council would have the power to put up ANPR cameras to enforce the issue.

Resolved:

The Warminster Area Board noted the efforts of the three villages and that it supported and encouraged on-going dialogue between the representatives of the villages and Wiltshire Council Officers to reach a speedy outcome.