Chippenham junction causing traffic 'chaos' to be reviewed by council

The busy interchange between Langley Road and Park Lane near the Hathaway Retail Park, has previously been slammed by locals for “causing accidents” and confusion.

In recent years the former roundabout was replaced with a traffic light system which requires those heading towards the retail park, from Park Lane, to wait for traffic coming from Langley Road to pass before turning.

In March, town councillor Matthew Short claimed a fatal collision was “not too far off” because the road markings and traffic lights didn’t make this system clear enough.

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

Now the council is set to take full control of the signals from the developers of the retail park, once remedial works have been completed at the junction during the second week of June.

This will include a refresh of the road markings, some minor changes to traffic signs, the replacement of some damaged signal equipment, and minor repairs to the surface and streetlights.

The council will then carry out a review of the signal phasing to address concerns, after it has adopted the signals.

Councillor Caroline Thomas, the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Remedial works are due to be carried out by contractors for the scheme developers at the Langley Park Hathaway traffic signals, on the week beginning June 5.

“When all works have been certified as satisfactory, the council expects to adopt the signals from the developers who carried out and funded the scheme as part of the development of a hotel and supermarket along Foundry Lane.

“Following the adoption of the signals by the council, we will undertake further traffic monitoring and a review will be carried out of the signal phasing to address any local concerns about traffic capacity.”

Cllr Short at the junction (Image: Newsquest)

She added that any “particularly disruptive” works will be carried out overnight.

While the road layout currently remains the same, the refreshing of road markings will address one of the criticisms of the junction.

Cllr Short had previously said: “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.” 

But many residents would like to see the junction return to a roundabout.

In March, Chantelle Glover, who works at Langleys Fish and Chips, said: “It’s dangerous and somebody is going to get killed. It really is a nightmare.”