A STUDY into the dangers of the double roundabout outside the White Hart Hotel in Calne is well overdue, says the landlord.

David Leaning, who took over the White Hart two-and-a-half years ago, said he often sees incidents at the roundabout along London Road and believes the council need to take action to stop further accidents.

The study was discussed by the Calne Area Board last week, with the council looking into concerns over traffic congestion and safety issues.

Talking to the Gazette & Herald after the meeting, Mr Leaning said: “We understand that there are budgets and priorities for the council to take into account but the road does need to be seriously looked at.

“We would like to see two things; the introduction of a zebra crossing and the lines to be clearly visible and repainted so people know who has the right of way.

“There are monthly breakdowns or problems on that road and I have had to, several times, wheel cars into the car park after they have overheated.

“At peak times it is especially dangerous and when the children come out of John Bentley School there are several occasions when I just do not know what is going to happen.”

A feasibility study was also launched by the area board into other traffic hot spots in Anchor Road and Brewers Lane.

The study was announced by chairman Christine Crisp, who said they were looking into ways of improving road safety at certain areas throughout Calne.

“There are quite a few times that I have had to come out of the hotel and break up a road rage incident taking place,” said Mr Leaning.

“Without the lines clearly marked it is very difficult to see who has the right of way on the roundabout and it would just make it much easier for the drivers.

“The zebra crossing would make it far easier for pedestrians to cross the roundabout.”

Mr Leaning said on occasions he had supplied the police with CCTV footage from his pub when there had been accidents on the A4 outside.

I remember a case when I was taking a vacation in Venice with my wife.

“The police wanted to see CCTV footage of an incident involving an old man and a car and when I looked at the footage it was clear what had happened.

“The man just walked across without looking and the car was affected by the sun and he was just sent flying like a rag doll.”

Calne Area Board chairman Christine Crisp said: “There are several issues with traffic and it is true it is dangerous and that is the reason we are looking into it.

“We have commissioned it now and we have to wait for the Highways engineers from Wiltshire Council to come back with their findings. We hope it is done within the next one or two months.

“We have some money left over from last year’s budget and we may look into combining it with this year to see if something can be done.”