Thanks everyone for participating in the survey. There was a very good response for a small village like ours. 17 people responded with 15 saying that they think there is a problem with traffic speed, the other 2 respondents didn’t know. With respect to potential solutions, 10 people think there should be a formal speed limit with associated signage, 9 believe there should be white gates at the entrance to the village (as many other villages now have), 2 think the village should be designated as a quiet lane and 6 had other potential solutions (note – respondents could pick more than one option). Most people commented that there should be an information campaign to ask / remind local businesses, farmers and residents to drive with more respect and care.
In parallel to this a lot of work has been going on in Calne Without Parish Council looking at road safety. A study was instigated last year to look at various problem areas. Unfortunately, Calstone was not highlighted as a problem area at the time, but since I joined the council and became aware of the study, I have sought to include the village. Whilst it was too late to include the village as a specific problem area, I have managed to get the report changed to enable the village to be included when looking at general measures to improve road safety, with the council potentially paying for new signage etc. A request has gone to Wiltshire Council for a formal automated road survey to take place on the road from Theobalds Green to the A4, specifically I have requested that the measuring device is located on the road outside Seven Boxes / Robbins Piece.
The Chairman of the parish council, a former highways engineer, and I looked at the A4 junction from the village, opposite Hayle Farm. It apparently falls well short of accepted standards from a safety point of view (mainly in terms of visibility), so this will also be included in the study to see what improvement measures can be put in place.
I will keep you informed. If you are interested in seeing stage one of the Calne Without Parish Council road safety report it is here. As I mentioned above roads in Calstone are not included as studied sites at the moment but will be in stage 3 of the study.
If you have any questions or comments please post them below or get in touch with me directly.
Doug Price.