FEARS about traffic congestion have been raised as consultation starts into a change of opening hours for Chippenham High Street to make it safer for market stall holders.

Proposals to introduce and earlier closure of the high street on Friday mornings is now up for discussion by Chippenham Town Council. The High Street currently closes to traffic at 9.30am on Fridays but the council is proposing it should shut from 6.30am.

Debbie Williams, 45, president of Chippenham Chamber of Commerce, said: “As far as the chamber is concerned there are several issues. Firstly the Friday market is growing and traffic causes a problem. I know as a pedestrian and a driver that is can be a dangerous place to be, in terms of increasing the economy it would be good to close it but we need to look at the traffic impact too.

“Personally I think it would be a good thing because I think it is an accident waiting to happen. We need to encourage the growth of Chippenham as a whole.”

The town’s retailers, business community and residents are being consulted on whether the existing traffic order is changed.

Coun Peter Hutton, chairman of the town council's planning, environment and transport committee, said: “We want to hear what people think before any decision is made. The aim of the consultation is to get meaningful feedback of why people think this is a good or bad idea with reasons to back up their views. That will enable us to make an informed decision."

The aim of the consultation is to get feedback on why the public think the idea may prove to be a positive or negative move for the town. The potential impact on cross town traffic is one area being investigated to determine whether extending the closure could lead to traffic congestion.

Coun Hutton added: “We’re aware people use the High Street to cross from one side of Chippenham to the other. Friday is a work and school day so it’s important we have an accurate picture and clear information on what impact, if any, this could have on cross town traffic. We certainly don’t want to do anything that would cause traffic problems in our town.”

Access for emergency and bullion vehicles would be maintained if the closures were to be put into effect earlier and businesses and shops in the High Street with Friday waste collections will be unaffected.

The consultation feedback will go before a future meeting of the council’s planning, environment and transport committee. The consultation is due to close on June 10.

Comments can be emailed to enquiries@chippenham.gov.uk marking your email High Street closure consultation or by letter to Chippenham Town Council, Town Hall, Chippenham, SN15 3ER.

Formal comments can also be sent to Wiltshire Council’s traffic orders team by post to Traffic orders team, sustainable transport group, Wiltshire Council, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.