Councillor warns fatal crash "not far off" at Chippenham junction

Matthew Short lives just 10 minutes from one of Chippenham's busiest junctions, which serves Langley Road and Park Lane, and understands the frustration of local businesses who claim the junction has caused “chaos”.

The former roundabout was replaced by a five-way traffic light system, which requires those headed in the direction of Hathaway Retail Park, from Park Lane, to wait for traffic coming from Langley Road to pass before turning.

Confusion over this system and fading road markings have caused multiple accidents and near misses, according to Cllr Short, including a crash on March 5 which resulted in police attending.

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

He said: “It’s frustrating. I go through that junction a lot on my bicycle, my children used to go through on their bicycles, and my older son now goes through there on a motorbike.

“We’ve nearly been taken out many times coming down Langley Road, and you often have to stop because cars just go straight through.

“Not everybody realises what to do and some race through. There have been no fatalities yet but if someone on a bike or motorbike had been involved in the recent crash there probably would have been.”

Cllr Short raised the issue with Wiltshire Council, both in writing and by reporting through the MyWilts app, after receiving numerous letters from residents.

“I just want it made safe”, he added. “A lot of people are nervous of the junction and cyclists are very vulnerable.

“The traffic lights aren’t working adequately as they are, and I’d like somebody to repaint the markings immediately… this has gone on long enough and it might save somebody’s life.”

Cars coming up from Park Lane meet cars headed into town from Langley Road. (Image: Newsquest)

Wiltshire Council say remedial works will be carried out over the coming weeks ahead of them taking over responsibility for the junction from the developers who funded the project.

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.”