Plans for changes at 'confusing' Chippenham junction

Chippenham Town Councillors voted to support a highways improvement request put forward by Cllr Matthew Short at a planning committee meeting.

The request suggests changes could be made to the junction of Wood Lane and Avenue La Fleche, which is currently causing “confusion” for drivers.

Councillors have received multiple complaints from residents that cars are missing the no right turn sign into Wood Lane and putting pedestrians at risk, while drivers will also turn up the wrong side of the Wood Lane carriageway.

It is believed there was an increase in these incidents during a recent closure of the nearby London Road which saw more cars using Wood Lane as a cut through.

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The Wood Lane and Avenue La Fleche junction (Image: Chippenham Town Council) Cllr Short said: “The issue was highlighted during the Wessex Water works when lots of traffic was diverted through there unnecessarily.

“A whole tirade of information came forward from residents and I spoke with the school who also highlighted the issue.

“About once a month a car seems to go up the wrong side of Wood Lane… the highways officer has said there are perhaps a number of simple measures that could be done.

“I don’t think it’s going to be major work and certainly from the school and residents’ perspective it could make a big difference.”

The solutions suggested by Cllr Short following discussions with a highways officer include additional signage and painting on the road.

Cllr Nic Puntis has also called for greater enforcement of the current regulations, arguing that CCTV cameras should be installed if possible.

The Wood Lane and Avenue La Fleche junction (Image: Chippenham Town Council) He added: “I spent half an hour, 45 minutes watching a number of cars doing exactly as has just been described.

“Enforcement is an issue, I think it was fairly clear that the people who were doing it knew they were doing something wrong.

“It’s really about making it even clearer they’re doing it wrong and then maybe putting some cameras up.”

Cllr David Poole added that the current issues are being caused by “bad driving”.

He said: “This has been a problem due to London Road being closed but isn’t this a bad driving issue rather than a poorly designed junction issue?

“I think it should be looked at if there can be some improvement, but I think really this is more bad driving.”

The request has now been put forward to the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group which will decide what measures can be implemented.