Latest scheme to improve access to Chippenham railway station

The next scheme in the £1.98 million investment to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to Chippenham railway station is due to start next week.

The works, starting on Monday 30 November 2020, will involve replacing gullies and kerbs, resurfacing roads and footpaths and refreshing road markings to enhance awareness of cyclists along Old Road and Union Road. It is anticipated the works will be completed on Friday 18 December 2020, weather permitting.

Due to the type of work being carried out and the local environment, temporary traffic signals and barriers will be in operation to maintain the safety of all road users.

The works will be carried out in three phases:

From Monday 30 November to Monday 7 December 2020 inclusive, works will be carried out during the day from 7.30am to approximately 4pm. Temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place and access will be maintained.

The resurfacing works are scheduled to take place from Tuesday 8 December through to Friday 11 December 2020 and during this time Old Road and Union Road will be fully closed to traffic on these evenings between 7pm and midnight. Unfortunately, these night-time works will severely restrict access to properties along this route as well as access to/from the railway station. Traffic Marshalls will be available to provide assistance to motorists and pedestrians.

From Saturday 12 December to Friday 18 December 2020 inclusive, works will resume during the day from 7.30am to approximately 4pm. Temporary traffic management arrangements will be in place and access will be maintained.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Highways, said

Our £1.98 million package of transport measures linking into Chippenham railway station has been progressing really well. We are completing the installation of a shared pedestrian and cycle path between Cocklebury Road and the new Sadlers Mead car park entrance today, and will be starting this new scheme on Old Road and Union Road on Monday.

We appreciate the works on this new scheme will cause some disruption to residents and businesses accessing their properties and our contractor will try to minimise this wherever possible. We apologise for any inconvenience these works will cause.

These schemes will complement other projects taking place in the area to improve pedestrian and cyclist access to the Chippenham cycle network and railway station. These include a new Toucan crossing to replace the existing Zebra crossing on Cocklebury Road, a new Toucan crossing to replace the existing Pelican crossing at the A420 Bristol Road and Hardenhuish Lane junction and the conversion of a mini roundabout to a signalled controlled junction at Western Arches/Station Hill.

These improvements are part of the larger £13 million Station Hub project, funded by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) through the Local Growth Fund, to develop the station and its surrounding area.