Cabinet to decide on next steps for proposed A350 Melksham bypass

The Cabinet paper details the proposed next stage of the project, which include holding a second non-statutory consultation and engagement exercise on a shortlist of route options, before preparing an Outline Business Case to take to the Department for Transport.

The project has already been the subject of an initial consultation, held from November 2020 to January 2021, on a long list of indicative route options.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "Around 1,200 people and organisations took part in the first Melksham bypass engagement exercise. Officers have looked at these responses and used this feedback, along with other technical considerations such as finance, environmental concerns and traffic models, to prepare a shortlist of options.

"If Cabinet agrees to the findings in the report, the project would move on to the next stage, an engagement exercise on the proposed shortlisted route options.

"An A350 Melksham bypass would tackle congestion for local residents and businesses as well as reduce journey times for non-local through traffic."

If Cabinet agrees to the next stage, the second consultation exercise would begin at Melksham Area Board on 23 June at 7pm.

Read the full Cabinet paper ahead of the meeting (opens new window), or find out more about the proposed A350 Melksham bypass project.