Joy as road to stay open

Town councillors had asked for a report into the possibility of closing one end of King Street, after people living there complained the road was too narrow.

At a packed meeting of the transport and environment committee on Monday night, they noted the report but decided to take no action.

The committee commissioned Mouchel Parkman to produce the report on behalf of Wiltshire County Council.

If the report had found a problem Warminster Town Council would have had to decide whether to pay for improvements.

Residents living in the area criticised any possible changes, which they said would cause more problems than benefits.

Nigel Linge, 50, of Swift Mead, said the decision was a victory for local democracy.

He said: " I am very glad the town council read the report and listened to what people had to say.

"Obviously being a town council they know the area well. The only option that would work was to close one end of King Street.

"But there was no justification for this because there have been no accidents on King Street in the last five years.

"On South Street there have been a number of accidents as cars travel faster along there and there are some blind bends."

More than 40 people from around Swift Mead and Swallow Close attended the meeting. Mr Linge said: "Nobody from King Street spoke up supporting these plans.

"The report states that additional costs could run to £100,000. The requirement is to make risks as low as is reasonably practicable.

"To divert traffic from a road with no history of accidents and to make 10,000 extra movements per year around a roundabout with a history of accidents does not follow the principle."

Cllr John Syme originally looked into the problem. He said: "Over the last few years people have been asking me about road safety on King Street.

"I brought the matter to the town council. We noted the report and have decided to take no action as there did not seem to be a significant problem."