Devizes town council has had to compromise in its struggle to counter increasing traffic in historic Long Street.

Residents plagued by a rise in heavy lorry use over the last two years appealed to the council for a 20mph zone and traffic calming.

The planning committee discussed a recommendation to ask Wiltshire Council to install a pedestrian crossing in Long Street between Morris Lane and The Ark and to bring in a weight restriction in Long Street.

Councillors have been caught between residents’ claims and concerns from the Trust for Devizes that extra signs for the restrictions would detract from the area’s character.

Trust chairman Jeff Ody told the committee that the trust would prefer a number of informal crossing points rather than a controlled crossing.

Tony Sedgwick, the trust’s traffic expert, opposed a weight restriction. He said it would send heavy lorries to the Estcourt Street/Southbroom Road junction.

“This would lead to gridlock,” he added.

Coun Jane Burton said lorry drivers had got into the habit of driving down Long Street last year while New Park Street was dug up for sewer repairs.

Coun Margaret Taylor said: “A pedestrian crossing in Long Street is imperative. All these other things would work if we had a by-pass in the town like other towns do.”

Councillors agreed to ask Wiltshire Council for a pedestrian crossing but not a weight restriction.

Long Street resident Robin Lane said afterwards: “I was grateful the councillors were taking the situation so seriously.

“We will be discussing the situation with Tony Sedgwick to see if there is any way we can appeal to Wiltshire Council for a 20mph limit.”