THE trial of a new scheme to slow traffic, aimed at making part of Curzon Street safer for pedestrians, will start in Calne from the end of this week.

Calne Town Council is asking for feedback from local people on the proposals, which will eventually see the road narrowed to make the pavement wider for those walking into town.

In November last year St Mary's School housemistress Nuala Bailey was hit in the shoulder by a passing van while walking down the road, and had to take time off work to recover from the shock and serious bruising and pulled ligaments in her arm and neck.

It is the main route from the independent girls school into Calne by foot.

For years people have complained about the stretch of Curzon Street between the roundabout and the former Post Office with its narrow pavement, claiming cars and lorries hurtled round the corner far too fast.

Now Calne Town Council, in conjunction with North Wiltshire District and Wiltshire County Councils, wants to right the wrongs so that residents can feel safe walking that route into the town centre.

Scaffolding is due to be put up today for St Mary's School to carry out essential work to its buildings.

The working party looking at various traffic-calming schemes for Calne, thought it would be a good time to have a trial while the road was narrowed by the scaffolding. It will give the impression of a wider pavement on one side.

Town clerk Ann Kingdon has asked that drivers are patient with any teething problems and that they give their constructive feedback to the working group.

"The working group has got to a stage where a computer traffic model has been made of the narrow stretch of Curzon Street," said Mrs Kingdon.

"It shows the best plan would be to narrow down the road, making the pavements wider and making it safer for pedestrians.

"The traffic computer model was fairly inconclusive although it did highlight the fact that the option which would cause the least problems would be not to have a driver priority from either end of the road. "We have decided to trial the three options; no priority, northbound priority and southbound priority."

Mrs Kingdon said it makes sense to carry out the trial while the scaffolding is up. The trial will last three months.

"We know this is going to mean more disruption for motorists but if it works it may be better for everyone.

"We are interested to hear feedback from motorist, traders and anybody cares to comment constructively," she said.

Anyone with comments should write to the traffic calming working group c/o the Bank House Visitor and community Information Centre.