Plans for changes to a “confusing” Wiltshire junction have taken a big step forward.
Chippenham Town Councillors have approved £195 in funding for an overhaul of signage at the junction of Avenue La Fleche and Wood Lane, near Lidl.
The plans have been brought forward after claims that drivers do not understand the layout of the junction and often turn right from Avenue La Fleche into Wood Lane, despite this being prohibited.
Locals have told town councillors that this has been causing “danger” for pedestrians just a short distance from a primary school and a play park.
The plans, which were drawn up and will now be progressed by the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group (LHFIG), will see new road markings installed.
They will explain the junction to drivers by stating ‘ahead only’ on Avenue La Fleche and ‘left turn only’ on Wood Lane.
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Former town councillor Matthew Short, who supported the plan while on the council, urged members to support the proposal during a planning committee meeting.
He said: “This was a resident-initiated scheme which I supported.
“It’s a longstanding problem that many drivers simply don’t understand the road layout at the entrance to Wood Lane.
“Some end up on the wrong side of the road heading into traffic, just two houses' distance from the play area entrance and a short distance from the Charter Primary School entrance.
“Thought this may not solve all issues, it’s a low-cost solution, making it abundantly clear to drivers that they must not turn into Wood Lane on the wrong side of the road.”
Cllr Nic Puntis agreed that the current situation was “dangerous” and that something needed to be done.
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He said: “My initial reaction was that there are already signs… an officer told me that one of the things that makes the biggest difference is putting the signs on the road.
“It’s minimal cost, and it is dangerous, I just think it is worth giving this a go.”
The vegetation on Avenue La Fleche, which has been a cause of the poor visibility of road signs, will also be cut back “rigorously”.
When the request was first submitted, a resident claimed routine mistakes by drivers were making the junction dangerous.
They said: “Drivers sometimes turn up the wrong side of the Wood Lane carriageway entering a blind bend on the wrong side of the road.”
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