A338 in Wiltshire made 'dangerous' by HGVs and potholes

Simon Rodger, who travels on the A338 between Collingbourne Kingston and Burbage daily, believes the road has been worn down by the many HGVs that use the route from Tidworth through to Burbage, and then on to Marlborough and Swindon via the A346.

He claims the road has been riddled with potholes and left in a “dangerous” condition as a result of this traffic.

“The road isn’t designed for those types of vehicles and, over a period of time, the surface has become so eroded and been so poorly repaired that it’s dangerous”, he said.

“For those on two-wheeled vehicles there is a strong potential of a serious incident where someone may get killed.

“Some of the potholes and the state of the carriageway is disgraceful… that’s the cold hard reality.”

The A338 between Burbage and Collingbourne Kingston (Image: Philip Palmer)

The use of the A338 by HGVs has long been in the spotlight.

In 2021, seven-year-old Eloise Jackson was killed after colliding with an articulated lorry, on the A338 at Collingbourne Ducis, while riding her bike.

This increased road safety campaigners’ calls for a reduction in HGVs coming through these villages.

MP Danny Kruger supported the campaign and has raised the issue in Parliament.

He said: “Too many traffic jams, accidents, and tragically deaths are caused by lorries that are simply too big, at least in the volumes we get, for this little road.”

Council leader Richard Clewer attributed the road deterioration partly to a dry summer followed by a wet, cold winter.

He said: “There has been an increase in potholes across the country, not just Wiltshire.

“Between December 2022 and January 2023 pothole reports increased from around 900 to over 4,000.

“There is no doubt the use of the A338 by HGVs partly contributes towards deterioration in surface conditions. However, the adverse weather of the last 12 months is potentially the bigger factor.

“The A338 is subject to monthly safety inspections alongside ad-hoc inspections carried out in response to reports from the public. Defects are prioritised in line with our Highways Inspection Manual and repairs are arranged.

Potholes on the A338 (Image: Philip Palmer)

“We are confident our approach meets the levels required of us as the highway authority in relation to the safe use of this route.”

Cllr Clewer added the road is part of the Primary Route Network and therefore under EU directives must provide unrestricted access to 40 tonne vehicles.

Road defects can be reported via the MyWilts app.