Traffic lights to be installed at Black Dog Crossroads

Wiltshire Council confirmed it will install traffic lights at Black Dog Crossroads, an A360 junction near West Lavington previously named one of the county’s most dangerous.

The move represents a U-turn for the council, which had begun a project to improve sight lines at the junction by realigning it.

Last year the council said these plans were “the most appropriate form of improvement”, despite criticism from campaigners who argued they did not go far enough.

But Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways, says a newly announced £2 million investment into road safety has made calls for traffic lights a reality.

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A crash in December 2023 (Image: Michael Maxwell)

He said: “We know that Black Dog Crossroads needs safety improvements, and we have previously looked at other options to make it safer for all road users and were looking to widen the junction.

“However, this extra investment has enabled us to further explore the traffic lights option and it will allow us to install a suitable power supply, which will be in place next year.”

Traffic lights are expected to be installed in 2025 once this power supply has been installed.

The decision comes after another review of options for improving safety at the crossroads, which included updated collision data.

There have been multiple reports of crashes at the junction this year.

Road safety campaigners like Michael Maxwell, who has held protests in Devizes town centre, have long argued traffic lights are “the only thing” that would allow drivers to pull onto the A360 safely.

Cllr Dominic Muns, the representative for The Lavingtons, revealed the original scheme would have been delayed by a year due to a landowner unwilling to sell necessary land.

He added: “Traffic lights were originally the most effective solution but were cost prohibitive.

“Things have changed… we can afford to spend that extra money and bring safety to Black Dog using traffic lights.”

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A crash in August last year (Image: Ian Brewitt)

The remaining budget has been earmarked for other improvement schemes around Wiltshire.

Cllr Holder added: “The rest of the funding will be spent on pedestrian crossings and other road safety improvements around the county, including in Winsley near Hartley Farm and at Caen Hill in Devizes.

“The work will take place during 2024 and 2025.

“This additional funding, which complements our significant extra investment in dealing with potholes, resurfacing, flood prevention and other improvements on our highways network, underlines our commitment to improving Wiltshire’s roads for the benefit of all users.”