AS a Calne retailer, and also as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce retail committee, I have recently conducted a survey among town centre businesses regarding the traffic problems.
The purpose was to establish if they have lost business due to the Transco works earlier this year, and currently because of the scaffolding in the narrow part of Curzon Street.
Wiltshire County Council plans to widen the footpath where the scaffolding is, as part of a traffic calming scheme and this will give us all a permanent traffic headache.
To date, 51 questionnaires have been returned, with 58 per cent of businesses stating they have lost trade during the roadworks.
A total of 100 per cent of the businesses feel that the county council should make direct contact when it plans traffic disruption, and 84 per cent are opposed to the Curzon Street 'traffic calming' proposals. I discovered that 39 per cent have witnessed road rage incidents caused by the current narrowing of Curzon Street.
I do not yet know the views of the emergency services on the proposed traffic calming scheme, but I can foresee problems when an emergency occurs, particularly during rush hour.
I have called a meeting to discuss these issues on Wednesday July 31 at the Lansdowne Strand Hotel at 5.45pm for 6pm.
If any Calne businesses which I have not yet contacted wish to attend, they will be welcome, and can contact me on (01249) 822064.
PAUL HARRIS
Calne Chamber of Commerce
Aladdins Cave
Phelps Parade
Calne
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