To encourage the provision and maintenance of efficient, land-use integrated transport networks throughout West Wiltshire, which contribute towards continued economic vitality, social inclusion and allow for sustainable growth.

To require access by all transport modes to proposed developments, which where appropriate, incorporate benefits to the adjacent highway network.

To reduce the length of motorised journeys and the reliance on the private car in favour of public transport, walking and cycling and to encourage the carriage of freight by rail.

Roads

The District is crossed by several important highway routes, the A36 non-core trunk route linking Bristol and Bath with Southampton, the A350 linking Junction 17 on the M4 with Poole and A361 which runs from the A5 in the Midlands to Barnstaple in Devon.  It also has a number of routes of local importance classed as minor distributor roads which link into the national and county network (see Map 3). The District Council supports the objectives of the Western Wiltshire Sustainable Transport Strategy.  This seeks improvements to the road network, as part of an integrated transport package for the continued economic, environmental and social regeneration of the area.

The A350 is one of the principle routes into and out of the District and forms the basis of an inter-regional multi-modal transport corridor. The improvement of the A350 transport corridor is identified by the Western Wiltshire Sustainable Transport Strategy and the County Local Transport Plan as being vital for the continued economic, environmental and social regeneration of the area. A number of consultants reports have been commissioned to identify problem areas and potential improvements to the transport network. In particular, Melksham and Westbury have been identified as requiring improvements. The County Structure Plan 2011 and County Local Transport Plan identify two A350 schemes in West Wiltshire, the Westbury Bypass and the Semington/ Melksham Diversion as priorities for highway improvements. A proposal for the A350 Semington/ Melksham Diversion was put out for consultation in February 1996 and a refined route alignment was approved by Wiltshire County Council in January 1998 and subsequently granted planning permission in July 2000. The route alignment is shown on the Proposals Map. The Semington/ Melksham Diversion will act as a bypass for Semington and the Berryfields area of Melksham, and will enable the Bowerhill employment and residential area to connect directly into the primary route system.

A303 Trunk Road

Continuing improvements to the A303(T) the Department Of Transport issued a consultation route for the dualling of the stretch between Wylye and Stockton Wood based on the existing road line. A preferred route was issued in October 1992. Future improvements to the A303(T) were considered by the wider South West and Area Multi Modal Study, which reported in 2002. The Study recommends that the completion of the Wylye and Stockton Wood scheme be given high priority.

Bradford-On-Avon Bypass

The National Primary Route Network, as illustrated on Map 3, is of both local national and regional significance for through and long distance traffic, and is also important locally for the development of local businesses and tourism. In order to maintain the strategic and local role of such roads, it is important that the ability of the network to carry traffic flows is not impeded. Direct access by new development onto any of the District’s primary routes outside towns and those villages with policy limits, will not be permitted if it has a detrimental impact on the network’s ability to accommodate traffic flows.

New distributor roads will be required to serve, and be funded by, new residential and employment developments at:  Paxcroft Mead, land to the east and south of Paxcroft Mead and West Ashton Road, Trowbridge; Westbury Leigh, Westbury; land to the east of Melksham, and Bowerhill, Melksham.

The newly constructed and proposed roads at Paxcroft Mead will provide a southern bypass for Hilperton plus a safeguarded route for a western bypass of the village, which will eventually give considerable relief to the village from through traffic. The proposed distributor road associated with the residential allocation south of Paxcroft Mead will link the Paxcroft Mead distributor road T4A with the proposed distributor road T4B provided by the employment allocation E1A at West Ashton Road. When completed these roads will form a new north and eastern distributor road network for Trowbridge.

The proposed employment site at West Ashton Road, Trowbridge includes a new distributor road to give access off West Ashton Road to the site and to link with the proposed road through the residential development south of Paxcroft Mead connecting with the Paxcroft Mead development as part of the planned north and eastern distributor road network for Trowbridge.

The proposed residential site to the east of Melksham includes the provision of a new distributor road to service the development. The distributor road and associated roundabouts will provide a link between the A3102 Sandridge Road and Snowberry Lane. The County Highway Authority is investigating the potential for that part of the distributor road between Sandridge Road and the roundabout junction south of Snarlton Farm to form part of a possible future Melksham Eastern Bypass. The development will therefore provide at this point a road of sufficient standard, and adequate adjacent land to enable future upgrading to dual carriageway.

In Melksham the land committed for employment use at Bowerhill has associated with it a link road from the A350 into the industrial estate; this will provide a valuable secondary access into the industrial land at Bowerhill. Part of this link road bounds the Bowerhill Playing Fields and will effect the relocation of an existing pavilion and basketball court in accordance with policy R2 of the Plan. To achieve this will require a legal agreement which will make provision for the timing and implementation of these facilities whose replacement will be pre requisite to construction of the link road across the site.

A safeguarded road link from Trowbridge Road to Horse Road, across the land known locally as the "Hilperton Gap", will eventually complete the north eastern distributor road network for Trowbridge. The network will be provided in conjunction with the proposed employment and residential allocations on the east side of the town to improve traffic movement in Trowbridge. This link, will relieve the village of Hilperton of through traffic. It is to be funded by the development of Paxcroft Mead and other development south of Paxcroft Mead and provided through the development control process. The County Council has identified a corridor of interest within which the road will be constructed, as defined on the Proposals Map.

Public Transport

All five towns in the District have railway stations, with Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury and Warminster being on the Severn-Solent line linking South Wales with the South Coast towns. Westbury is also on the main line route from Taunton to London (Paddington) while Melksham is on a recently re-opened rail link between Westbury and Swindon via Chippenham. The main line routes provide an important and valuable link to the towns of Bath and Bristol for travel to work, further education, shopping trips and for connections to London, the Midlands and other parts of the southwest. The Council recognises the value of a good public transport system to the environment, to the business community and the people who live and work in the District. It will encourage the continued role of the railway stations in all five towns, in particular Westbury Station, a major passenger railhead and interchange. Rural stations at Avoncliff and Dilton Marsh provide useful services and the Council favours the re-opening of other rural stations, possibly at Staverton and Codford; consideration could also be given to providing a new facility at the White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge.

The Westbury – Swindon line via Melksham provides a sustainable alternative to the A350 road. It provides an important link between the District’s towns and Swindon, which is an important destination for commuters. Land at Melksham Station, as indicated on the Proposals Map, has been safeguarded from inappropriate development in order to allow the future enhancement of passenger rail services along this line.

Bus services provide essential public transport both in the towns and the rural parts of the District. The villages on the main routes through the District are relatively well serviced by local and longer distance buses. However, the more remote villages have less regular services, particularly the smaller villages in the south of the District. The District Council recognises the importance of public transport to rural communities and will support the retention, improvement and development of services where possible.

Within the towns the ‘mini-link’ services have proven to be well used and provide a good service. It is hoped these services will be maintained and extended to new residential areas as they are developed.

The availability of car parking can have a major influence on the quality of the local environment, the mode of transport used for work and other journeys, road safety and the economic well being of town centres. Therefore, a certain level of off-street parking provision is necessary for development to proceed without causing road safety or traffic congestion problems.

The District Council will monitor off-street car parking provision particularly within town centres, and implement a sustainable car parking policy in support of the locational strategy and policies set out in the District Plan.

New maximum car parking standards have been adopted by Wiltshire County Council in accordance with advice contained in Central and Regional planning guidance. The base car parking standards are illustrated in Appendix G, the associated methodology, accessibility framework and criteria are contained within the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2001/2-2005/6.

Travel Plans

Cycling continues to be popular both as a mode of transport and as a recreational pastime. In particular cycling has an important role to play as a healthy and environmentally friendly means of getting around. The Department of Transport’s “National Cycle Strategy 1996” establishes targets for decreasing private car usage in favour of cycling. The targets are to double cycle use by 2002 and double use again by 2012.

However, in urban areas especially cyclists have to contend with heavy volumes of motorised traffic. To help encourage cycle use and increase safety, provision for cyclists is sought within new development. Development proposals should include features such as better access for cyclists, signing of safe routes and secure parking facilities.

Wiltshire County Council has been implementing strategic cycle networks for West Wiltshire’s towns. The routes are identified within the County Cycle Action Plan. These will help secure safe passage between residential areas and popular destinations such as town centres, employment sites, schools and recreational facilities. Cycle networks for Trowbridge, Melksham, Warminster and Westbury have already been published and are being implemented. Additionally, the District Council proposes a series of inter-urban cycle routes, which link Bradford on Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury. These routes are identified within the West Wiltshire Cycleway Report.

Pedestrian links in town centres and shopping areas between car parks and central facilities can help to minimise the conflict with traffic in the town centre areas and contribute to the enjoyment of the central area. Environmental improvement measures such as Fore Street, Trowbridge and High Street, Westbury serve to provide a safer and more attractive environment.

Links between residential areas and town centre facilities are also important and the use of riverside paths, parks and other paths away from the highway can help provide more pleasant and safer routes for pedestrians.

Footpaths are also essential in the rural areas, often providing links between settlements as well as recreational benefits by providing access into the open countryside.

New developments will be expected to provide a good network within the site connecting to the existing footpath network within the area and where appropriate providing links into the countryside. The Council supports in the longer term the creation of a green space network (See Policy R8). Wiltshire County Council is the authority with powers over rights of way and as such will be involved in issues such as the requirement of legal agreements and planning obligations under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to secure such facilities within new developments.