AS the voice of the local people, I am writing with some points which many Calne residents feel very strongly about.
Following the Gazette article of November 15, I agree it is only a matter of time before somebody gets killed on Curzon Street, Calne.
I was very distressed to read that on November 10 Nualla Bailey narrowly escaped a fatal injury. This hardly came as a surprise to myself or any of the residents of Curzon Street.
The road is hopelessly inadequate to cater for the amount of traffic it carries. As time goes on conditions are becoming more and more dangerous with an increased number of motorists and pedestrians wishing to use the road.
With a footpath of less than 18ins wide, where mothers have to push their prams, all too often pedestrians are forced to step out into the precarious road.
A road which is made precarious not just by the influx of cars but also the seven-tonne heavy goods vehicles, which blatantly disregard road restrictions put in place when the new bypass opened. Trucks are also forced to mount the pavement even to a point where it has caused vehicles to get stuck trying to pass on this road, creating major congestion for many hours.
Various solutions have been put forward including the idea of sleeping policemen which would break the flow of traffic causing what is known as the ripple effect, the most common reason for traffic jams in the UK today. This would also mean a heavy increase of pollution in our town.
In my view, which I know is supported by many residents, the answer is pedestrianisation.
This solution was tested very successfully when the road was closed for a number of weeks for Transco pipe laying. Commuters very quickly adjusted to their new route.
Pedestrianisation would make it easier for Calne residents to use local facilities, they would not be forced into their cars and out of the town.
They would be able to walk to the shops knowing they could do this safely through a pedestrianised area. Pollution would decrease, the trade in Calne would increase and subsequently the vibrancy of Calne. We are hoping that somebody from the council in a role of authority will take note of this important issue and stand to do something about it. If this does not happen we feel it is only a matter of time before the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald reports on a fatal accident in Calne.
DONAL O'DWYER
Curzon Street
Calne
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