I have just arrived back from holiday and seen the article in the Gazette on yet another accident on the Derry Hill/Studley section of the A4 and last week's letter from Andrew Warner on the same topic.
He is quite right, though we have discussed the topic several times, roundabouts at the two junctions has never been the declared policy of Calne Without (Not Derry Hill) Parish Council, nor did I say it was.
The quote supposedly from me was taken out of context from an earlier article on the subject in February this year.
That aside can I commend the work your two reporters, Andy Davey and Debbie Waite who have shown how dreadfully dangerous this piece of road is.
It helps us to keep asking the question What are we going to do?
The central issue seems to be that traffic along the A4 is increasing, and, quite often travelling at 60mph plus along this section making it increasingly difficult for people to make judgements when manoeuvring to join and leave it.
The solutions and inevitable impacts on the environment are well rehearsed in the villages of Derry Hill and Studley and I'm pleased the Gazette has been able to help the debate along.My personal solution, and do let's have other residents and A4 users putting their cards on the table, is as follows:
Speed reduction before the two junctions to say 40mph, roundabouts built at the junctions with minimum impact on the environment (the slower the traffic the smaller the roundabouts apparently.)
A roundabout on the Studley Crossroads to the A4 would increase the likelihood of drivers using Church Street, Derry Hill as a rat run so there would have to be traffic calming along that road.
We could, of course, ask why we shouldn't have this whole section of the A4 slowed down to 30mph as has now been imposed on the Cherhill section of the A4 as a result, I understand, of a bad accident on this stretch.
I hope a winning solution to the tragic toll on this section of the A4 will soon be found and that we won't be reading yet again of some dreadful accident that has left people maimed for life or worse.
Richard Aylen
Parish councillor
West Ward,
Calne Without Parish Council
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article