Agenda item

Steve Wilson - Major Projects Highways Engineer, Wiltshire Council

 

NOTE: WRITTEN QUESTIONS TO BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE to peter.dunford@wiltshire.gov.uk

 

 

Steve Wilson - Major Projects Highways Engineer, Wiltshire Council outlined the second public consultation of the A350 Melksham Bypass.

 

That the consultation provided the opportunity to gather additional information on the scheme and its potential effects and help identify mitigation measures where required.

 

The views of organisations with specialist knowledge of the area would be particularly important in helping to refine the proposals.

 

It should be noted that the consultation was not a public ‘vote’ for or against the scheme. A wide range of factors had to be taken into account in determining the emerging bypass option.

 

There would be other formal consultation stages in the future, including at the planning application and in connection with the statutory orders, but it was considered that ongoing consultation was a vital aspect in developing major projects of this type.

 

Your views would help Wiltshire Council develop the scheme, and would be taken into account.

 

 

Note: A comprehensive power point presentation was attached to these minutes.

 

Points made included:

 

Primary transport objectives

 

·         Reduced journey times and improved reliability north - south along A350

 

•         Reduced journey times and improved reliability east – west through Melksham

 

•         Provide enhanced opportunities for walking & cycling

 

•         Safety – reduce personal injury rates and severity

 

•         Reduce the severance effect of the existing A350 route

 

 

About the second consultation

 

The scheme is now progressing towards the submission of the Outline Business Case (OBC).

 

The aims of this non-statutory consultation were to:

 

•         Engage with stakeholders affected by or interested in the scheme

 

•         Engage with potentially affected landowners

 

•         Encourage involvement from stakeholders and build strong open relationships

 

•         Raise awareness of the scheme and understanding for the need to improve the A350

 

•         Inform about the single emerging option identified

 

•         Understand stakeholder concerns, issues and suggestions

 

•         Receive feedback on the single emerging option to allow us to develop the scheme further

 

•         Prepare for the statutory consultation phases

 

 

Emerging Bypass option

 

•      Approximately 9km long

 

•      Single carriageway (9.3m) with scope to widen

 

•      Generally designed for national speed limit

 

•      Roundabout at A350 tie in north of Halfway Farm and south of Lacock village

 

•      Long, low level viaduct needed across River Avon and flood zone

 

•      Bridge at Wilts & Berks canal route

 

•      Woodrow Road – no junction. Woodrow Road diverted at Hack Farm

 

•      Bridges at Forest Brook

 

•      Roundabout with A3102 Sandridge Common east of Manor Farm

 

•      Alignment developed to avoid suspected buried historical settlement with archaeological interest

 

•      Bridges for Clackers Brook

 

•      Roundabout with A365 west of Vernon Farm

 

•      Route passes approximately mid way between Bowerhill and Kennet & Avon canal

 

•      Roundabout at A350 between Littleton & Hampton Park roundabouts, to the north of the Kennet & Avon aqueduct

 

 

Environmental matters

 

•      Initial environmental and ecological surveys done – more investigations needed

 

•      Some impacts unavoidable – always looking to mitigate and enhance

 

•      Screening vegetation and hedgerows

 

•      Attenuation ponds – opportunity for habitat creation

 

 

•      Flood zone impacts

 

•      Low-carbon alternative materials & construction

 

•      Local sourcing of materials

 

•      Minimise excavation and maximise re-use of material

 

•      Noise and air quality considerations

 

•      Access to countryside

 

 

Views were requested by 8August 2021

 

Information on the emerging option will be available from 24^th June 2021 at:

 

https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-a350-melksham-bypass

 

Website will include:

 

Information pack covering areas such as:

 

·         A350 route & need for the scheme

 

·         Transport objectives and other local outcomes

 

·         The scheme preparation process

 

·         Outcomes from previous consultation

 

·         Assessment work and option sifting process

 

·         Reasons as to why options have not progressed

 

·         The emerging route with notional cross section information

 

·         Traffic flow and journey time information

 

·         Provision for pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders

 

·         Environmental considerations

 

 

Questions raised included:

 

·         How can Highways justify going for the longest route? – the scheme has to go through both planning and public enquiry.

 

·         Many concerns re environmental issues, with many species of bat having habitats on the preferred route – full environmental investigations would be carried out

 

·         Would the agreed route be safeguarded even if fund becomes unavailable for it in the future? – this would come under planning matters, but certainly a question that would be good to feed into the local plan review

 

·         Did the sifting process start 9 months ago? - yes, approximately 9 months ago for the current work

 

·         The Strategic outline business case doesn’t define the solution – Wiltshire Council has had to have followed the relevant guidance

 

It was agreed that Steve Wilson would follow up questions that were raised.

 

The Chairman thanked Steve Wilson for his presentation.