Malmesbury rat run set to be curbed (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Malmesbury rat run set to be curbed

8:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Victoria Ashford

PEOPLE power has won the day in Malmesbury with news that safety measures are to be put in place on a busy rat run.

Over the past year, local councillors, police and residents of Mill Lane have monitored traffic down the road.

They observed numerous heavy goods vehicles that got stuck, damaging properties and cars, and youths using the lane as a race circuit.

Now, after campaigning to have something done, plans are under way to put up legal enforcement signs allowing only residents and their visitors access to Mill Lane.

The scheme was discussed at a Malmesbury Town Council planning meeting on Tuesday, where councillors pledged 25 per cent of the costs (£750) to ensure the work is done.

Committee chairman Bill Blake said: “This is not just about access problems, it’s also the fact we have had lots of young people dashing up and down in their cars, which is likely to eventually cause an accident.

“We are not trying to stop their fun; we are concerned sooner or later a fatality may occur. It’s not safe.”

The £3,000 cost of the enforcement signs, which will give police legal powers to stop motorists and fine them if they are caught using the road illegally, are being funded by the town council, Malmesbury Area Board and the Community Area Transport Group.

Town and Wiltshire councillor Simon Killane, who is on the area board panel, said: “This shows how we can address really serious issues of traffic safety and inappropriate driving.

“It shows how we can get things done, working with the community partnership, police and the town council to get results and improve the situation for residents.”

The ‘no motor vehicles except for access’ signs will allow only those requiring legitimate access to Mill Lane to access it, such as residents, visitors and deliveries.

The £3,000 estimates for the cost would be made up of £2,000 for the legal order and £800 to £1,000 for the signage.

Transport group member Martin Rea said: “There has been a problem with vehicles getting stuck at the bottom of Mill Lane for some time.

“It causes difficulties to residents and damage to property and other vehicles.

“This measure seems to be an excellent way of making sure any inappropriate vehicles can be prosecuted and it should reduce the problem for residents.”