Chippenham junction causing traffic 'chaos' after series of crashes

The junction serving five roads, including Langley Road, New Road and Park Lane, at the entrance to the Hathaway Retail Park has caused issues for many motorists.

In recent years the roundabout was removed, to reduce traffic congestion, and replaced by lights.

But vehicles turning onto Foundry Lane from Park Lane must wait for a green filter light, which gives them priority over cars coming from Langley Road who are shown a green light at the same time.

This has led to multiple smashes between vehicles heading in the direction of the retail park and those coming from Langley Road towards the town centre.

Traffic coming up from Park Lane must wait for traffic coming down from Langley Park before turning. (Image: Newsquest)

Most recently two cars, one of which had children in it, collided last weekend and police were called to the scene.

For Chantelle Glover, who works at Langleys Fish and Chips, this came as no surprise.

“I’ve seen numerous accidents out there and it is a nightmare”, she said.

“The signage and the lines on the road, as they come up, isn’t clear enough telling them to stop. There is a green light at both ends so everybody just goes for it… it’s absolute chaos.

“It’s dangerous and somebody is going to get killed. The amount of times I hear cars beeping their horns because they’ve had to stop, it really is a nightmare.”

The aftermath of a crash at the junction on the afternoon of Sunday, March 5 (Image: Submitted)

Julie Howell, an employee at the neighbouring Chippenham MOT Station, agreed: “The amount of accidents we’ve nearly seen is quite a lot… people come in and say they’ve had near misses.

“There were a couple of prangs early on but even when I go across in the evening not everybody knows they need to stop at the top so you’re a bit tentative when you’re moving away.

“I don’t think it’s evident that those coming up from Park Lane have to stop. The road signage says that but when you’re coming up you just see the green to go, so they assume they can come straight across.”

She added that the removal of the right turn from Langley Road onto Malmesbury Road has caused significant inconvenience for her and other employees trying to travel in the direction of Greenway Park.

Traffic can no longer turn right from Langley Road. (Image: Newsquest)

Both women are in favour of a return to the roundabout system and have questioned the need for the change.

Mrs Glover added: “The roundabout worked so much better. I have no idea why they changed it but it’s caused absolute chaos.”

The council insists the system is standard at junctions like this one and is necessary to tackle growing traffic.

Cllr Caroline Thomas, cabinet member for transport said: “The Langley Park traffic signals at the entrance to Hathaway Retail Park were funded by developers to help reduce potential traffic queues at the junction due to the expected growth in and around the town.

“Drivers turning right into Hathaway Retail Park must give way to oncoming vehicles from Langley Road until a right turn green arrow is illuminated, which gives them priority.

“To give way to oncoming traffic is normal practice at signalled junctions all around the country including in Chippenham, for example, the signals at Avenue La Fleche.

“Within the next few weeks, contractors will carry out some remedial works on the junction, including a full refresh of the road markings. When this is complete, the council will adopt the signals and take over responsibility for their operation and maintenance.

“Road safety is a priority for Wiltshire Council. We continuously monitor the highway network for areas of concern.”

Issues with road safety can be reported via the MyWilts app.