Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Steve Wilson (Major Highways Project Engineer, Wiltshire Council) in regard to the A350 Chippenham Bypass Phase 4-5 dualling scheme.

Please see the link below to a Wiltshire Council news item which has been released:

Council seeks feedback on the final phases of dualling the A350 at Chippenham - Wiltshire Council

The Area Board received a presentation from Steve Wilson (Major Highways Project Engineer, Wiltshire Council), regarding the A350 Bypass Works. The presentation covered the following points:

·       It was outlined that the scheme is currently at a stage of public engagement for Phases 4 and 5. This had involved a webinar with a Q+A, a static display in Chippenham Library with a questionnaire and a dedicated page including an information booklet: A350 highway improvements, Chippenham - Wiltshire Council

·       The history of the A350 was outlined, with it noted that since a public inquiry in the 1990s there had been planning consent for a dual carriageway, with 3 phases already completed.

·       Phases 4 and 5 of the scheme were outlined as follows:

o   Bumpers Farm Roundabout Improvements

o   Phase 4 Dualling (Chequers to Lackham)

o   Phase 5 Dualling (Bumpers Farm to Cepen Park South)

o   Lackham Roundabout Capacity Enhancements

·       The benefits of the scheme were outlined to the Area Board, which could be characterised as local benefits that would translate into wider regional benefits.

·       Before and After images were provided to demonstrate the work completed as part of previous dualling schemes.

·       The speed limits for the proposed dualled sections were outlined, with it noted that though most of the bypass would be subject to the national speed limit, some sections would be reduced to 40/50mph where appropriate. It was also noted that there would be a formal consultation regarding traffic regulation orders.

·       The improvements to the Bumpers Farm Roundabout were detailed, including traffic signals and additional lanes. The impact on traffic at the roundabout was also discussed and illustrated with proposed numeric changes to queuing.

·       Facilities for pedestrians and cyclists along the A350 were outlined, including Bumpers Farm Roundabout, Chippenham Rugby Club, Drake Crescent and Saltersford Lane.

·       The environmental impact of the scheme was discussed, with it noted that Atkins would produce an environmental impact assessment, which would then be used to identify potential mitigation measures.

·       The next steps of the consultation and scheme were outlined, with it requested that the questionnaire on the website be completed by 3 February 2023.

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

·       Positive feedback was provided regarding the use of footpaths, cycle routes and thought regarding the traffic problems around Bumpers Farm.

·       It was suggested that the scheme would be a positive opportunity for Chippenham Rugby Club to have a graded access and egress onto the A350. The Highways Officer stated that such an access would be subject to a planning application proposed by the Rugby Club followed by Officer’s recommendations to balance the impacts of the proposal. The Highways officer noted that it would make sense to coordinate the delivery of the A350 dualling scheme with a potential planning application, with the example of the Southpoint Roundabout cited.

·       The issue of drainage was raised, with it noted that the existing carriageway on the eastern side would not be touched and that there would be no changes to existing drainage ponds. Additionally, for the western side of the carriageway there would be assessments regarding water collection, with there likely to be new drainage solutions proposed such as attenuation ponds rather than relying on existing solutions.

·       It was suggested that the proposed dualling would make current noise issues caused by the A350 worse, to which it was clarified by the Highways Officer that noise modelling and surveys had taken place in 2022 and had been future tested until 2036. It was also stated that though there had been similar noise concerns regarding the previous 3 dualling schemes, few complaints had since been received and that Atkins had suggested that noise change would be minimal and would not justify an acoustic barrier. Additionally, the surface of the road would be considered to use materials that would cause less noise production.

·       Should residents encounter problems with noise, they would be entitled to make a Part 1 claim through the Land Compensation Act 1973.

·       A member of the public proposed that the Chair and Area Board write to the Cabinet Member for Highways to request the following mitigations of acoustic fencing and a consistent 50mph speed limit throughout the scheme. The Chairman stated that he would discuss this outside of the meeting with Area Board Members.

·       Cllrs Stephen Eades and Howard Ham spoke on behalf of Chippenham Without Parish Council and stated that the potential planning proposal from Chippenham Rugby Club would be positive and would hopefully welcome more people to the Parish as well as Cepen Park. It was noted that the Parish had sought reassurance form the Rugby Club that any potential access would not lead to a back route from the existing car park into the Parish, which would set a precedent for development.

·       Cllr Eades suggested that the 70mph speed limit heading towards a roundabout might potentially pose danger, to which the Highways Officer stated that the speed limit would not be on the roundabout itself and there would be a reduction in advance of the roundabout such as a countdown, rumble strips or cross markings.

·       It was also clarified that an existing culvert that would cross under Phase 5 would be extended and developed to promote biodiversity.