20mph speed limits introduced on Marlborough roads

Marlborough Town Council requested that the town’s 20mph zone was expanded to include Hyde Lane, Back Lane, Cross Lane, Cardigan Road, St Johns Close, and George Lane.

Cabinet member for highways Cllr Martin Smith has approved this proposal following a consultation in April and May.

The traffic order to introduce 20mph speed limits came into force on August 14 but will only be enforced once signage is installed.

Wiltshire Council hopes the changes will improve the safety of Marlborough’s roads.

A crash on George Lane last year (Image: Public submission) Its decision notice said: “The proposed 20mph speed limit is in line with national guidance, and the changes are proposed following a detailed speed limit assessment by council engineers.

“Collectively, these changes should provide a positive impact on road safety.

“The proposals have been prioritised by the Marlborough LHFIG and supported by the Area Board, as well as Marlborough Town Council.”

Consultation responses have been published, with most respondents supporting the plans due to the dangers of fast traffic.

One resident said: “The speed and lack of basic common sense and courtesy on these narrow roads with no pavements is breathtaking at times.

“Cars will pass inches from you at 40mph - even when you have a dog on a lead.”

Others say speeding traffic on these narrow roads, particularly Hyde Lane, has been worsened by people using them to avoid traffic on Marlborough’s main roads.

One person said: “Over the last few years, with the increasing number of main road closures, we are finding a larger volume of traffic using the lanes.

“The roads being used were never built to carry this sort of traffic, in fact, they are really only single track.

“So it has become dangerous when either walking or driving out of our houses or around the roads that we know well.”

Another added: “Hyde Lane is now used as a rat run to avoid the town.

“There has already been an accident through speed, with a car swerving to miss an oncoming car going into the bank and tipping over.

“Luckily, no one was injured, and nobody was walking up the road.”

There were two objections, with one person branding the scheme “unnecessary.”

They added: “The proposal is unnecessary and will result in unsightly signage and or road markings.

“The nature of the roads where the revised limit is proposed makes a 20mph zone redundant, as speeds in excess of this are almost impossible.”